Karnataka adds 6,900 MW to power pack

Bengaluru Jan 12: The Power Corporation of Karnataka Limited (PCKL) signed an MoU on Monday, Jan 12 with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for setting up a 4,000 thermal plant at Kudigi in Bijapur district. Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) signed separate memorandums with NTPC and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for 500 MW and 2,400 MW projects respectively.

Addressing the gathering after the MoU was signed, Chief Minister B S Yeddiyurappa said that over the years Karnataka had managed to install projects for generation of 8,930 MW. "We have embarked on an ambitious plan to add another 10,000 MW of power before the 12th plan ends. We are headed in that direction with these major projects that have been taken up today."

He said that despite the state making several representations to the Centre regarding the Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP), it had failed to bag the project. “I would like to acknowledge the role of Union minister of state for power Jairam Ramesh in helping us to get the NTPC project. Our request to the Centre however is to give us at least 80 per cent of the power generated in view of our power deficit," he said, adding that the first unit of the project should be commissioned by 2012.

Yeddiyurappa also said that NTPC was setting up six wind energy projects with KPCL with a total capacity of 500 MW. NTPC had made its maiden entry into Karnataka and was now making the single largest investment in renewable energy, said Jairam Ramesh. He also said that BHEL will set up a Centre of Excellence at the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) by investing Rs 10 crore. In an attempt to revitalize the Institute, the chief minister said he had met the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) director to explore institutional linkages between CPRI and IISc.

"Before IT, Bengaluru was a centre for power engineering. After several years, it has again the potential to emerge as a pioneer in power engineering," he added. According to
project details of the 4000 MW PCKL-NTPC project, two units of 2000 MW each will come up in phases in Kudigi in Bijapur. The cost of this Rs 20,000 crore regional power station will be borne by NTPC.

The project will be completed in 5 years as NTPC is yet to get clearances from 16 departments, which will take more than a year. Tenders will be called for the project after the clearances are obtained.

The NTPC-KPCL projects will generate 500 MW. Six wind energy projects will come up in Kappadaguadda in Gadag Guladegudda in Bagalkot Godachi Ramadurga in Belgaum, Bailhongal in Belgaum, Saudatti in Belgaum, Ramadurga Malluru in Belgaum. Power generated will be sold to KPCL by NTPC, at the tariff fixed by Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission. Under the 2,460 MW KPCL-BHEL tie-up, three units of 1,400 MW in Yedlapur and one unit of 660 MW in Eramarus, both in Raichur will be set up by BHEL. The cost will be shared by KPCL and BHEL. (26 per cent each) for these Rs 14,400 crore super critical thermal power projects.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)