Reliance to set up two captive units in Maharashtra

Reliance Industries will set up two gas-based captive power plants to generate a combined 1100 mw for its special economic zone in Maharashtra and also its malls and other projects.

Conveying this to the top political leaders in the state, RIL Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani has offered to supply the excess output to state-owned power utilities. The meeting held at the state guest house Sahyandri in Malabar Hills this evening was attended by Union Agriculture and Civil Supplies Minister Sharad Pawar, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, State Energy Minister Dileep Walse-Patil and senior officials.

"Reliance Industries plans to set up power units for its own needs. If excess power is available, it is willing to pump it into the state grid to reduce the burden on it," a source close to the development said.

However, experts point out that supplying power to the state grid might violate some norms. Company executives could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. Meanwhile, Walse-Patil said, "Ambani has assured the state of gas supply to Mahgenco's Uran unit."

From Reliance's proposed pipeline between Kakinada and Jamnagar, a large part of which passes through the state. We have agreed to cooperate with the company for timely completion of the pipeline."

Mahgenco's Uran plant has an installed capacity of 840 mw but is run only to 60 per cent of its capacity due to non-availability of gas. Reliance's assurance to supply gas will help Mahgenco not only to run the plant at full capacity but also to carry out expansion plans of 400 mw at the site.