CESC to add 2000 MW fresh capacity in Bengal

Power utility CESC Ltd is planning to add 2,000 MW fresh generating capacity in Bengal. According to Sanjiv Goenka, vice-chairman of CESC, the company was ready to look at new locations in the state apart from Haldia and Balagarh, where new plants are coming up.

''We have to build ahead of time. If we start planning now, it will get executed over the next five years. The way demand is growing, we must be prepared,'' Goenka told reporters after the annual general meeting of the company.

He said the financial closure for the first phase of the 600 MW unit at Haldia, involving an outlay of Rs3,000 crore, was achieved yesterday. The plant is expected to come up in 36 months.

The Balagarh project, which kicked off in April after nearly a decade, will add 660MW capacity. The project is yet to get environment clearance and coal linkage.

''Apart from Haldia and Balagarh, we are willing to look at a third location in Bengal,'' he said.

Goenka said the company has also ventured into renewable energy sector with a 200 MW solar plant to the set up on 200 acres of land the company has acquired near Bikaner in Rajasthan. In addition, the company plans to acquire 800 acres across the country he said.
He said work for solar power generation is expected to start in two to three months.