Goa may install two 250 mw power plants

May supply power to Maharashtra and Karnataka

The Goa government is seriously looking at the Union government's proposal to install two separate 250 mw coal-based power plants, one in the north and the other in the south.

Official sources informed Business Standard that the government plans public-private participation to set up these Rs 600-crore coal-based mega power plants in Goa.

During his recent visit to Goa, Union power minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde made this proposal to the government so that the power generating capabilities of the state could be increased.

Sources said that several inquiries on the power plants have already started coming in. The government plans to give the plants to private participants on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis, instead of going in for a mega power plant at one place.

The proposal is being prepared and is to be placed before the government for clearance.

Business Standard also learnt that the government believes that the mining quarries are the idle location for installing these plants.

"Once the proposal is cleared, the government will invite a team from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to assist the state government and use its expertise in selecting the consultant," a senior official said.

Though one of the Cabinet ministers has opposed the coal-based power plants in the state, the government feels that imported coal has only two per cent ash content and that it is a permissible pollution level.

Besides, the sources said, the government proposes to dump the ash generated through these plants into the quarries.

"If the state misses this opportunity, the demand for additional allotment of power to meet the ever-growing demand will not be tenable in the future," the official said.

Besides, he said, the state can even supply power to neighbouring states such as Maharashtra and Karnataka and earn some revenue.

On the progress of the proposed four hydro projects on the Mhadei basin, official sources said that the proposal is in advanced stages and that the government will soon invite expressions of interest for appointing the consultant to these projects.

"So far, there were eight respondents," the official informed.

The government had proposed these four projects, which can generate power of a little less then 50 mw. NHPC has already submitted its report on the proposals.

The officials said that once the projects were tendered, the works could be completed within two years. These projects too, are proposed on BOT basis.