Orissa clears REL project, to sign MOU for 11 more

20 September 2006

Mumbai: The Orissa government has cleared a mega power project proposed by the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group company Reliance Energy Limited (REL).

However, the state''s high-level clearance authority has decided to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for only a 4000 MW plant at Hirma in Jharsuguda district, instead of the 12000 MW coal-fired plant proposed by the group.

REL had proposed to set up a 12000 MW coal-fired plant, the largest in the world, involving investment of Rs54,000 crore.

"As regards REL''s proposal, we have decided to ink the MoU for a 4000 MW plant," energy minister Surya Narayan Patra said.

The state government would also sign MoU with several other groups as well, including Tata Power Limited (TPL), CESC, Sterlite Energy Pvt Ltd (SEL), Lanco Group Ltd (LGL), Bhushan Energy Pvt Ltd (BEL) and Jindal Photo, for setting up 11 thermal power projects in the state.

These projects, aimed at generating a total 15920 MW of power, will be located in Angul and Jharsuguda districts and would involve investments to the tune of Rs63,245 crore.