UP govt clears 1,320 MW Thermal Power Project in JV with NTPC

Lucknow, Feb 28 (UNI) In a major step to ensure self-reliance in power generation, an agreement for setting up a 1,320 MW Meja Thermal Power Project at Allahabad was today signed between UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (UPRVUNL) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

The agreement was signed by UPRVUNL chairman G V Patnaik, principal secretary (energy) B N Garg and NTPC chairman T Shankarlingam, official sources said.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 7,200 crore and the share of equity of UPRVUNL and NTPC in the JV would be 50:50.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for setting up this project under the JV was signed on November 22, 2007 in the presence of state chief minister Mayawati.

Two super-critical units of 660 MW capacity each would be installed. Based on super-critical technique, these units would consume less coal than those consumed by units based on traditional techniques.

Moreover, the efficiency of these units would be higher than the traditional ones.

After signing the agreement, Mr Shankarlingam said ''the project would be completed on time...75 per cent of the generated electricity will be made available to UP.'' Energy minister Ramveer Upadhyaya said, ''the state government has set up a target of capacity addition to the tune of 10,000 MW during the 11th five year plan.'' Various projects are being implemented in the State Sector, Private Sector and JV for setting up electricity generation units with the installed capacity 1000 MW, 5260 MW and 7920 MW respectively to achieve the target, the minister added.

Besides, Meja, Lalitpur, Obra and Anpara D Thermal Power Projects would be installed under the JV soon, he informed.

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