The Hindu : Business : New UMPPs planned in Orissa, Gujarat

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New UMPPs planned in Orissa, Gujarat

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding the slowdown in clearance of the ambitious Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) initiative over the last few months, the Union Government on Friday said three new Ultra Mega Power Projects of 4,000 MW could be set up in Orissa and one in Gujarat, in addition to nine UMPPs already proposed across the country.

Beneficiary

Speaking on the sidelines of the seminar on Power Equipment and Systems organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here, Union Power Secretary, Anil Razdan, said Orissa had recently agreed for three UMPPs that could be structured through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), promoted by Power Finance Corporation. The projects would be set up in such a manner that the host State would be the major beneficiary, he added.

Super-critical technology

The process to locate sites and potential electricity buyers would begin soon. In addition to this, he said there was a strong possibility that there could be a fourth UMPP in Orissa and another one in Gujarat. He said super-critical technology would be used in these projects.

The Anil Ambani-led Reliance Power had already bagged the Sasan (Madhya Pradesh) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) UMPPs while the Tatas have bagged the Mundra (Gujarat) UMPP.

Ministry support

Mr. Razdan said the XI Plan target to add 78,500 MW power generation capacity was an opportunity for India to emerge as a major power equipment manufacturing hub and a bonanza for the industry.

“Indian power industry should not only be users of technology but manufacturers of technology. The Union Power Ministry will support them through investments and with finding places for setting up plants and the industry should ensure that the projects are completed on time,” he said.

While capacity building was entering a new era when India wants super critical equipment, in the area of transmission the Power Ministry was looking at privatisation, Mr. Razdan said.

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