Seven states to have ultra mega power projects

Chennai: In consultation with the states seven sites for development of ultra mega power projects (UMPPs) were identified in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh. Each of the UMPPs are expected to generate about 4,000 MW of gross power.

According to the minister for power Sushil Kumar Shinde, requests have been received from the governments of Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand for setting up UMPPs in their states.

These projects are to be developed by the developers, selected through a process of tariff-based competitive bidding. The responsibility of tying up the requisite funds rests with the developers. The government has not taken any loan from Asian Development Bank for setting up of these projects in the country.

Bid documents prepared stipulates that bidders have to provide completion schedules of the project at the time of submitting the final bids. The first unit of the project has to be commissioned not later than 60 months from the date of award.

Meanwhile nine hydroelectric schemes with an aggregate installed capacity of 4,477 MW, which have been accorded concurrence by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), are awaiting investment approval by the government.

During the current financial year the investment approval has been accorded for three hydroelectric projects in the central sector aggregating to an installed capacity of 1,089 MW.