Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) is on an expansion spree with a capex plan of over Rs 26,400 crore to augment hydroelectric and thermal power generation in the country as well as other countries like Nepal and Bhutan. The company expects to add around 4000 MW in these two sectors in the next 4-5 years.
Further, having entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Druk Green Power Corporation Limited of Bhutan for executing 600-MW Kholongchu Hydro-Electric Project in Bhutan, it is scouting for a partner for 570-MW Wangchu Project in Bhutan under a joint venture agreement.
The company’s flagship 1,500-MW Nathpa-Jhakri Hydro Power Station in Himachal Pradesh was commissioned in 2003-04 followed by Rampur Hydro Power Station, taking the total generation capacity to 1,912 MW in Himachal Pradesh.
“We have many projects in our hand which is under different stages of execution. We have plans to develop hydro-power projects in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh. In Uttarakhand, we have plans to execute three projects having total generation capacity of 360 MW and with a total project cost of Rs 3,000 crore. The project is under various stages of clearance from the relevant authorities. As far as Arunachal Pradesh is concerned, we aim to generate 80 MW. The detailed project report (DPR) of the project is being prepared,” said RN Misra, chairman-cum-Managing Director, SJVNL.
The company has also forayed into thermal power generation by taking up the 1,320-MW Buxar Thermal Power Project in Bihar for execution. The company has been allotted the Deocha-Pachami Coal Block in West Bengal for sourcing coal for the project. The total cost of the project is Rs 9,600 crore.
The thermal power plant in Uttarakhand and Bihar will be funded through mix of equity and debt.
“In Nepal, we are developing 900-MW hydro electric power with a total project cost of Rs 5,700 crore. The project will be funded through equity and debt. The concession term of the project is 25 years. In Bhutan, we are executing 600-MW Kholangchu Project under a joint venture with Bhutanese company Druk Green Power Corporation Limited. The total cost of the project is Rs 3,900 crore and both the company will have equal partnership in the project i.e 50:50,” he added. The foundation stone of the Bhutan project was laid on the maiden foreign tour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2014.
He added that the company was scouting for partner for development of 570-MW Wangchu Project in Bhutan under a joint venture agreement. The total cost of the project is Rs 4200 crore and the DPR of the project is also ready.
Source : The Tribune
