Bhilwara Energy bags 3 Hydro power proj

New Delhi, Nov 8: Bhilwara Energy Ltd, a part of the LNJ Bhilwara Group today bagged three Hydro Power Projects (HEPs) of 290 MW capacity, involving an investment of Rs 1500-1700 crore, from Arunachal Pradesh government.

The proposed HEPs to be set up on Nyamjung Chbu river in the Tawang district, have been awarded to the company on Build, Operate, Own and Transfer (BOOT) basis for a period of 40 years.

Under the MoU signed between the state government and the company, the land and site required for construction, operation and maintenance of the HEPs will be provided by the state government.

The company will be providing 12 per cent of the generated power to the state government free of cost for the designated period. The company is hopeful of delivering the project by end of 2011.

''We have set a vision of achieving 1,500 MW capacity by 2012 and development of these projects is a step towards realising our aim,'' LNJ Bhilwara Group Chairman Ravi Jhunjhunwala said.

The group has already announced plans to invest Rs 7,000 crore in the power sector.

''The total estimated capacity on the river Nyamjung is about 300 MW and could be tapped in a cascading manner in phases. We have proposed three stages for run of the river HEP of 98 MW, 97 MW and 95 MW totalling 290 MW in our proposal to the Arunachal Pradesh government,'' Mr Jhunjunwala said.

The three projects are likely to generate 1,300 million units of power annually on 50 per cent PLF factor, however, the final ratings and capacity will be decided after completion of detailed project report.

The power demand is likely to outgrow supply situation by 8-10 per cent annually for the next seven to 10 years and in situations like these short term PPA are in the best interest of the group. ''We will make our arrangements to sell power to different states as per the then available market tariffs in the country,'' the company's Chairman added.

The company plans to furnish the detailed project report (DFR) for approval to the government in next 12-15 months and after necessary approvals from various bodies and departments it envisages to commence work on the project towards mid-2008.

LNJ Bhilwara Group is involved in power projects across four states of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It already operates and generates 175 MW of power through various hydro, thermal, HFO and wind power plants.

UNI