Power-surplus Bengal lukewarm to central aid

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government is not quite warm to the idea of an ultra mega power project coming up in the state. This, despite the central power ministry’s indication of announcing one in Bengal, provided the state government is interested therein.

According to the state power secretary, Sunil Mitra, Bengal is not presently contemplating approaching the central power ministry for a ultra mega power project for the state. Union power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had recently said his ministry may sanction a 4,000-mw scheme in West Bengal if the local government requests the Centre for the same.

“The state has lined up about 6,000 mw of thermal power generation capacity addition programme for the 10th and the 11th five-year plans. These include two 500-mw units each at Sagardighi and Katwa. Our state is surplus in power generation and the proposed capacity additions are more than enough to meet the projected demand for power over the next few years,” he said.

“As the state is already geared to meet projected demand and even generate surplus power in the 10th and the 11th Plan, there are no proposals to approach the Centre for any such power projects.”

Detailing the state’s capacity expansion plans, Mr Mitra said, “State-owned West Bengal Power Development Corporation, Durgapur Projects and Purulia Pumped Storage Project have lined up capacity expansions of 1,270 mw, 300 mw and 900 mw, respectively, for the 10th Plan.” And for the 11th Plan, efforts are under way to add another 3,550 mw, including two 1,000-mw (500 mw x 2) plants at Sagardighi, Katwa and Bakreswar. The state will come up with another 350 mw plant at Santaldihi.

“Ultra mega projects are being set up by private players. For Bengal, we have already received at least three proposals, one each from the Visa Group, Jindal Power and the Essar Group. Visa Power intends to set up a 1,000-mw plant and Jindal’s a 2,000-mw one. Essar, on the other hand, has proposed a two 250-mw units at Sagardighi,” said Mr Mitra.

The power ministry has decided to set up eight such mega projects and has floated eight special purpose vehicles (SPVs) that will undertake major tie-ups, clearances and linkages, and project reports. These will be transferred to a private party on competitive bidding on least tariff quoted.