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The Federal Power Ministry unveiled
ambitious plans to create several
ultra mega power plants that can
generate 4000 mega watts (mw) at the
cost of Rs.150 billion each. These
plants are expected to generate power
between Rs.1.50 to Rs.1.80 per unit.
Two plants located in Chhattisgarh and
Madhya Pradesh will use domestic coal.
Two others located in coastal
Karnataka and Gujarat will use
imported and domestic coal. A fifth
project at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra is
also being considered. These plants
are expected to use the efficient 800
mw supercritical boilers which Bharat
Heavy Electricals Ltd will import
through foreign collaborations.
Boilers from French Alstom, turbines
from German Siemens will provide the
technology. Other companies from
Russia and South Korea are also being
considered. Leading financial
institution, PFC will invite
"expressions of interest" for these
plants by February 2005. The plan is
to parallelize the process by getting
independent clearances for these
companies and make the deal open to
investors by end of 2006. PFC will
also initiate company registration,
invitation of bids, and complete all
necessary studies by end of next
month. Pre-qualification of potential
investors is expected to be out by
March.
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