Mega power projects for Orissa

Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, March. 14: The government today said that three new ultra-mega power projects of 4,000 MW could be set up in Orissa, in addition to nine UMPPs already proposed across the country.Besides, there is also a “strong” possibility for a fourth such project in Orissa and a new one in Gujarat as well, which would take the total number of UMPPs to 14 in the country.“Orissa has just agreed for three ultra mega power projects that could be structured through special purpose vehicle, promoted by Power finance corporation,” power Secretary Mr Anil Razdan told reporters here.He said that "the projects would be set up in a way so that the host state would be the major beneficiary".“The process to locate sites and potential purchasers of electricity will begin soon. There is a strong possibility that there could be a fourth UMPP in Orissa and another one in Gujarat,” Mr Razdan said on the sidelines of a seminar organised by industry body CII today. “We need super-critical technology for the UMPPs,” Mr Razdan added.As a measure to mitigate power shortage in the country, the government had decided to set up power plants of 4,000 MW each with the help of the private sector.Anil Ambani-led Reliance power has bagged the Sasan (Gujarat) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) UMPPs while Tatas have bagged the Mundra UMPP. Modalities for awarding other projects are being worked out.