KSK plans 9,000 MW power projects in next 5 yrs

New Delhi, Jun 19 (UNI) Hyderabad-based power plant developer KSK Energy Ventures today said it has 9,000 MW power projects in the pipeline in the next five years, two of which are expected to be commissioned by December 2009.

''The two projects, expected to be commissioned in October 2008 and December 2009 respectively, are 135 MW lignite-based power project in Rajasthan and 540 MW coal-based Wardha Warora project in Maharashtra,'' KSK Energy Ventures' Director K A Sastry told reporters here today.

Majority of the upcoming projects are located in the states of Chattisgarh and Orissa.

''The company is looking for coal blocks, where the cost of mining will be less in the country,'' said Mr Sastry. He, however, refused to comment whether the company is looking for an overseas acquistion of coal mines.

Asked about the timing of its Initial Public Offering (IPO), which opens on June 23, amidst a dipping market, he said the company has a good customer base and track record, so people have to look it in that way.

KSK Energy Ventures has operational power plants capable of generating 144 MW of power, and it is at present constructing, developing or planning power projects capable of generating an aggregate of 8,993 MW of power.

UNI AK SR CS1540