First unit of the Bellary Thermal Power plant to be ready by Sept

Bangalore, July 26 (UNI) The first unit of the Rs 2169 crore 500-MW Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS) would be commissioned by September this year, Karnataka Legislative Council was informed here today.

Replying to BJP member Shashil G Namoshi, Transport Minister Chaluvaraya Swamy informed the house that the project, which is being built on turn-key basis, would be operational by September.

He said that the state government had not spent any money in the project as it was being taken up raising capital from financial institutions.

The Karnataka Power Corporation (KPC) had spent over Rs 2095 crore for the BTPS so far and also had plans to start second unit of 500-mw capacity and the project report has already been prepared for the same.

The other power projects which were in pipe line including II unit of BTPS (500-MW) Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) unit-8 (250-MW) and Varahi hydel project (230-MW).

The state also waits for the clearance for 400 MW Gundia hydel project from Central Power Authority. Other projects which were being considered by the KPC were Kalagurki (Bijapur) Annechakanahalli (Hassan) Yadagiri (Gulbarga).

The state also inviting tenders to start 1000 MW capacity in private sector at Ghataprabha, Jewargi and Chamalapura.

By 2010 the state would generate over 13000 MW of power from all its sources including Hydel, Thermal, and Wind energy, the minister said.

UNI