Punjab allows Sterlite to add new unit at Talwandi Sabo

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government today gave its nod to the Sterlite Energy Ltd (SEL) to add one more unit of 660 MW to the upcoming thermal project of 1980 (3x660) MW at Talwandi Sabo in Mansa district.

With today's permission as per the provisions of Power Generation Policy 2010 of Punjab, the SEL would be setting up a total generation capacity up to 2640 MW, an official spokesman said here today.

He said that a decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL) B K Sharma here today.

Taking part in the deliberations, Sharma apprised the Chief Minister that the TSPL had already submitted the detailed feasibility report to the state government for grant of approval to add one more unit of 660 MW.

He said that the efforts were afoot to make the first unit of 660 MW to be operational by the end of 2012 and other two units 2x660 by the end of 2013.


Sharma, according to the spokesman, also expressed his willingness to sign a MoU with Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd at the earliest for another 660 MW unit.

He informed the Chief Minister that the relentless efforts of TSPL have resulted in timely compliance of the requirements of the Power Purchase Agreement and achievement of all the milestones till date on or before time.

It may be recalled that Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL) was incorporated as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) by Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) with the purpose of constructing a thermal power plant at village Banawala, Mansa-Talwandi Sabo in District Mansa.

Sterlite Energy Ltd (SEL) was selected as the developer of the project based on the Tariff Based International Competitive Bidding Process (Case-2) on BOO basis for supply of 100 per cent power to Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) for 25 years as per the guidelines of Government of India.

Power Purchase Agreement and other related agreements were signed between TSPL and PSEB on September 1, 2008 and the ownership of Talwandi Sabo Power Limited was transferred to Sterlite Energy Limited (SEL) on that date.