Indian 26 power developers delay in green nods hit eastern power projects: Economic Times reported that delays and denials for forest clearances may prove to be roadblocks for 26 developers including GMR, Monnet Ispat, MB Power, SKS Power, Visa Power, Essar Power, Adhunik Power, for transmitting electricity from Eastern India where 25,000 MW of generation projects are underway to cater to the neighbouring states. From their operational projects, Lanco, KSK, Sterlite, Jindal and others are already facing limitation of transmission network to sell over 5,000 MW of power outside Chhattisgarh. Close to half a dozen power transmission projects of central PSU Power Grid Corpo ration and Vedanta Groups Sterlite Technologies are expected to miss the deadlines in March as many of the projects were just half way by 2013 end. Power evacuation is emerging as a major challenge for India as the generation capacity doubled to 2,34,000 MW in 9 years. However, inter regional transmission network has not progressed in tandem. According to Mr RK Mediratta director of Indian Energy Exchange, close to 15% to 20% of the the transmission network did not develop corresponding to the generation capacity. Congestion in transmission network limits power producers from getting higher price for their electricity, which remains locked in limited geography instead of reaching out to the areas with deficits. The Association of Power Producers said ministry of power in a letter requesting its support that Over 25,000 mw of new generation capacities involving investments of over INR 1,00,000 crore are in process of being put up in Chhattisgarh and Odisha by 26 generating companies. Around half of these plants have already been commissioned, while others are expected to get commissioned in the near future. The association that represents power producers in from the private sector said that Though 50% of the capacity has become operational, despite the availability of coal, the plants are forced to operate at sub-optimal capacity primarily due to interstate bottlenecks. Both power producers and transmission project contractors want government to treat inter-state transmission lines at par with central government undertaking project for getting clearances under the Forest Conservation Act. Mr Pratik Agarwal who heads infrastructure business for Sterlite Technologies that is developing 765 KV transmission corridors connecting Chhattisgarh and Odisha with Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, said that Contrary to the general beliefs about construction speed and capabilities of contractors, the major reason for the delay in transmission projects remains the forest clearance.” Source – Economic Times
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 12:46:42 +0000