Sterlite Energy which is setting up a 2,400 MW power plant near Jharsuguda in Orissa with Independent Power Producer status is all set to commission its second unit of 600 MW by the end of December this year.

The project, when fully operational, will have four units 600 MW each and the company had commissioned the first unit in August last year.

Orissa’s state energy secretary Mr G Mathivathanan said that "Sterlite Energy is set to add the second 600 MW unit of its 2400 MW power plant at Jharsuguda. The third 600 MW unit of the project is expected to be commissioned next year. Three more IPPs will also go on stream in 2012 after which the state will be in a very comfortable position in the power sector.”

Commenting on the performance of IPPs, he said that “As many as 18 IPPs are waiting for allotment of coal blocks or coal linkages. Without being granted a block or linkage, they are unable to achieve financial closure. Eight players have either got coal blocks or have secured linkages for their projects.”

The IPPs have already invested INR 12,375.09 crore on their projects in the state. Among the IPPs who have made significant investments are
Sterlite Energy Ltd (INR 7,400 crore)
Ind Barath Energy (Utkal) Ltd (INR 1,200 crore)
GMR Kamalanga Energy Ltd (INR 1,145.83 crore)
Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd (INR 641.58 crore)
Lanco Babandh Power Ltd (INR 873.12 crore)
Monnet Power Company Ltd (INR 570 crore).

The state government has signed 30 MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with the IPPs, with a combined capacity of 38,000 MW out of which the state share will be 6,774 MW. Out of the 30 IPPs, two IPPs namely, Sterlite Energy and Aarati Steel have commissioned 600 MW and 50 MW respectively and are supplying the entire power to the state grid.

(Sourced from BS)