Orissa gets coal linkages for 10,200 MW new power capacity

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) The Centre has sanctioned coal linkages and allotted coal blocks to Orissa to support generation of additional power to the tune of 10,200 Mega Watts (MW).

According to offical sources, this decision was taken here today during a meeting State Chief Minister Navin Patnaik had with the Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao.

Mr Patnaik requested Dr Rao that this additional power would be required to meet the growing needs of the state for rapid industrialisation and economic growth.

Giving details, Dr Rao informed the CM that his Ministry has sanctioned long term linkages for new capacity of 3,000 MW. These include 2,000 MW power plant to be set up by NLC, 500 MW plant of Navbharat Power Pvt Ltd, 250 MW each of KVK Nilachal Power Pvt Ltd and Jindal Photo Ltd. In addition, one coal block has been allotted for Darlipalli thermal plant of NTPC (3,200 MW).

The Minister further said that three coal blocks viz Meenakshi, Dipside of Meenakshi and Meenakshi-B have been allocated for Orissa Ultra-Mega Power Project (4,000 MW).

Dr Rao added that his Ministry is already supplying coal or has decided to make coal available to support about 15,000 MW power generation in Orissa. He further informed that a quantity of 22 million metric tonne (MMT) of coal is being supplied to power utilities of OPGENCO and NTPC in the state to support generation of about 5,000 MW of power. Of this, 18 MMT coal is being supplied for two thermal power plants of NTPC at Talcher and about three MMT to OPGENCO.

He assured all assistance to the state for augmenting coal supply for meeting their growing requirements for industrialisation and economic development.

UNI