Power-starved Karnataka is turning to gas-based power projects in the state to tide over the power crisis. The state government, which initiated work on the state’s first gas-based power project with a capacity of 2,100 Mw at Tadadi in Uttara Kannada district, is planning to develop four more such projects with a combined capacity of 8,000 Mw.
K Jairaj, principal secretary, energy department said, “We are looking at four locations on the Dabhol-Bangalore pipeline, which is 850 kms. We have signed an MoU with the Gas Authority of Indian Ltd (GAIL) for supplying gas. But, the pipeline will be ready by 2011. We intend to develop four projects of 2,000 Mw each at Belgaum, Gadag, Davanagere and Tumkur districts. We have identified land in these locations adjacent the pipeline. But all that hinges on availability of gas. Gas prices are very high and we have to sort out many issues.”
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on power organised by the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), here today, he said the government would invite private participation for setting up the four new gas-based projects. It will showcase them in the forthcoming Global Investors Meet, he said.
The private promoters will be given concession for 30 years, he said adding the proposed projects will require an investment of Rs 32,000 crore, which will be done by private sector.
Land required for the proposed projects will be acquired through the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB). The projects will take around two years to build once they are approved, he said.
Jairaj said the government has identified 3,500 acres for the proposed 4,000 Mw ultra mega power project being set up by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) at Kudigi in Bijapur district. The preliminary notification has been issued for the land and it will be acquired by KIADB, which will be faster. The work on the project will commence in December 2009 and the first unit will be operational by March 2013, he said.
Earlier, speaking at an interactive seminar, state minister for power K S Eshwarappa said the government has taken measures to improve the power situation in the state and claimed that in the next 10 years the state will become power surplus. “We are witnessing a 20 per cent rise in demand for power annually in the state. We require around 10,500 Mw power in the state while the availability is only 7,000 Mw. Various steps have been initiated to bridge the gap of 3,500 Mw power in the state,” he said.
The state government spent Rs 3,000 crore to purchase power from various sources last year, he said adding that measures have been initiated this year to purchase power.
BCIC president, K R Girish urged the state government to come out with a three-year road map on the power policy and also request the Centre to sanction one more nuclear power station for the state.
