Anpara C pvt power project in doldrums

Lucknow, Aug 23 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh governments permission to hike the generation capacity of the Lanco Kondapalli proposed Anpara C thermal power project has lead to possibility of scrapping of the much-hyped project.

The 1,000 MW Coal-based Anpara C thermal power project was in controversy since inception in early 1990s and now it was heading to another tangle following UP government's permission to increase the capacity of the plant from 1,000 MW to 1,200 MW.

The Government order issued on August 20, said that Lanco will have to obtain the statutory approvals from the UP State Electricity Regulatory commission. Lanco has also been directed to obtain financial and technical approval from the power regulator as per the revised project specification from 2X500 to 2X600.

The government further said that the time frame for completion of the project would not be extended while no additional land would be given for the project by the government.

The state cabinet in July last had allowed the private investors to increase the capacity by 20 per cent.

The land for the Anpara C thermal project has been transferred to the Lanco Anpara Power Ltd, a subsidiary floated by Lanco for the particular project. As per the roadmap for the Anpara C approved by the Power regulator Lanco has to complete the financial closure for the project by November next. Failing which the Lanco faces the threat of losing the project.

Official sources admitted that obtaining the regulatory approval for increase in capacity from 1,000 MW to 1,200 would be tedious and if not resolved in next two months then the Lanco stands to lose the project.

The Power employees' joint action opposing the privatisation of the Anpara C project maintains that the government in favour of Lanco was illegal and was mockery of the legal framework created after the reforms in the power sector were introduced in the state. Shailendra Dubey, convener of the action committee said even the power regulator had to authorise to revise the installed capacity of the Anpara C plant from 2X500 to 2X600.

''The Request For Proposal(RFP) and Request for Qualification (RFQ) for the Anpara C project were approved by the power regulator for the plants capacity of 1,000, so how can the regulator increase the capacity to 1,200 MW without inviting fresh bids for the power project,'' argued Mr Dubey. He added that the action committee will challenge the government in high court.

The project was awarded to Hyderabad-based private power company promoted by the Vijaywada Congress MP, Lanco Kundapalli in accordance with the Letter of Acceptance issued by the UP government to Lanco on September 27, 2006.

Lanco has also obtained the permission from the Airport Authority of India, for the 70 meter high chimney for the 2X500 MW thermal projects, now revised to 2X600.

UNI