Orissa signs 10 MoUs to generate 10,290 mw

BHUBANESWAR: Orissa is once again on a MoU signing spree. After signing over 55 MoUs for steel, alumina and aluminium plants in the last couple of years, the state government on Tuesday signed MoUs with 10 independent power producers (IPPs) to generate 10,290 mw at an estimated cost of Rs 45,000 crore in the first phase. All these power projects will be pit-head and coal-based thermal units located in Anugul, Cuttack and Dhenkanal districts.
“T.

oday, it is yet another milestone. The state will earn annual revenue of Rs 1,790 crore due to these projects. There will be 10,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs. Orissa has the potential to become the power house of the country with nearly one-fourth of coal reserves in the country,” chief minister Naveen Patnaik said on the sidelines of the MoU signing ceremony. Besides, 2,475 mw of power will be available to the home state.

Mr Patnaik, however, made it clear that the IPPs ought to abide by the environmental norms. He also announced setting up of the Environment Management Fund , to which the developers will contribute an annual contribution.

The CM has been making a case with the Prime Minister, the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission and the Union power minister for a more equitable legal regime where resource-rich states like Orissa will be suitably compensated.