New Delhi, May 16 (EPC News): The Madhya Pradesh government has awarded Welspun Group 125 MW solar photovoltaic project through reverse bidding process. Welspun had bid Rs8.05 per unit to bag the 125 megawatt (MW) out of 200 MW that was auctioned by the Madhya Pradesh Government,” Vineet Mittal, Managing Director, Welspun Energy Ltd said.

Welspun Solar Madhya Pradesh Pvt Ltd will set up two solar photovoltaic plants – 100 MW and 25 MW capacity – in Mandsaur and Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh in span of 18 months. The project cost, estimated at $225 million, will be funded in 75:25 debt-equity ratio, he said.

The company had recently won a 50 MW solar power project in Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) bidding. 

EPC News Bureau

New Delhi, May, 14 (EPC News): Coal crisis has been in the upsurge. Owing to which, the largest power producing company, NTPC is uncertain about adding 12,500 MW capacity for the 12th five year plan.

"We would not be able to add at least 12,500 MW capacity by 2017 if the coal issue is not resolved in the next couple of months, because we are already in the 12th Plan," NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury said.

The shortage of gas for its envisaged plants has led NTPC to scale down its target from 70,000 MW to 65,000 MW for the current Plan period.

The available coal is unable to suffice the requirement for the existing power generation. Due to which NTPC might be forced to bring down the target to little over 50,000 MW for the current Plan period.

To fill this fuel demand supply gap, NTPC may import about 14 million tonnes of coal during the current fiscal.

EPC News Bureau

Mumbai, May 11 (EPC News): The government has asked Coal India Ltd, to supply coal to all power plants which are scheduled to be commissioned this fiscal. As per the directive issued, the power plants which have not yet entered into the fuel supply agreement will also receive CIL’s coal supply.

The coal ministry's decision is expected to benefit powers projects already set up by NTPC, CLP India and Reliance Power. However, CIL in consultation with the Central Electricity Authority can decide on the quantity of coal to be supplied. 

"Ministry of Coal has issued a directive to coal companies for supplying coal to power plants commissioned till March 31, 2012 as well as those to be commissioned during 2012-13 through memorandum of understanding (MoU) route as FSAs are getting delayed," informed an official from the ministry.

However, CIL can supply coal to all power projects this fiscal only if it is able to achieve the presumed production target of produce 474 million tonne as against 436 million tonne previous year. 

EPC News Bureau

Mumbai, May 11 (EPC News): NTPC Ltd, as per the quarter ended results (March 31), marked a 6.8% decline in its net profit. The company estimates the high rise in fuel prices as a major cause behind the fall in its net profit. The state run power major’s net profit for the quarter fell to Rs2,593.4 crore from Rs2,781.8 crore attained in the corresponding period last year. 

The fuel costs stood at Rs41,635.5 crore as against Rs35,373.8 crore for the quarter last year. The 17.7% growth in fuel rates is a major barricade that affected our net profit, opines an official from the industry.  

EPC News Bureau

Jaisalmer, May 11 (EPC News): The Jaisalmer wind park, developed by Suzlon Group, crossed 1000 MW of installed capacity during FY12. “This achievement makes the wind park the largest of its kind in India. Suzlon is proud to be playing such a vital role in producing power for the state of Rajasthan,” said Tulsi Tanti, Chairman, Suzlon Group. 

The wind park, initiated by Suzlon in August 2001, generated 1,064 MW of power on 1st April, 2012. The wind park equips varied range of turbines, including the earliest 350 kW model to the latest S9X-2.1 MW series. It further involves a cluster of wind farm sites at Amarsagar, Badabaug, Tejuva and Soda Mada, within the Jaisalmer district. 

Commenting on the achievement, Tanti added, “We credit this success to the support from the Government of Rajasthan, our customers and local communities.”

EPC News Bureau

Lucknow, May 09 (EPC News): Toshiba Corporation and Toshiba JSW Turbine & Generator Pvt Ltd, received a contract for the supply of two units of 660MW super-critical steam turbine and generator island package. The company acquired the $315 million contract from Meja Urja Nigam Pvt. Ltd, a joint venture between NTPC Ltd and Uttar Pradesh’s Rajya Vidyut Utapatdan Nigam Ltd.

Scope of the contract includes engineering, procurement, manufacturing, installation and testing of the steam generator island packages. The turbine and generator package will be installed at the Meja Thermal Power Plant in Uttar Pradesh. 

Steam turbine and generator for the Meja thermal power plant will be manufactured at Toshiba JSW and at Toshiba’s Keihin Product Operations in Japan. Commercial operation of the first unit will be commenced in the next 48 months and the second unit in 54 months. 

Toshiba India Private Limited in Gurgoan will execute the overall project management and TPSC India in Hyderabad handles the installation and commissioning process. 

The company targeting a robust demand market for thermal power plants, also plans to expand its market presence in Asia and the Middle East. The company further aims to generate $1 billion sales in FY2015 from its thermal power business in India. 

EPC News Bureau

Mumbai, May 09 (EPC News): ReNew Wind Power Pvt Ltd plans to make an investment of Rs6,000 crore (approximately) for the development of 15 wind power projects in the next couple of years. The company through its recent plan expects to generate an aggregate of 1,000 MW of wind power from Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. 

The company has recently commissioned its first wind farm project (25.2 MW) at Jasdan in Rajkot, Gujarat, wherein Goldman Sachs invested Rs140 crore. The project was financed in a 70:30 debt-equity ratio by PTC India Financial Services Ltd. 

“Currently, the cost of installation of wind power equipment is Rs6 crore/ MW, while per unit of electricity would cost, on an average, Rs4.50 to the customer, which is far cheaper than solar energy at Rs8 to Rs9 an unit (kilowatt hour),” says an official from the company. 

EPC News Bureau

Balagarh , May 09 (EPC News): RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group owned CESC Ltd, plans to shed an investment of Rs10,500 crore to revitalize the abandoned Balagarh power project in West Bengal. The decision comes after the company’s recent discussion with the state government on the same purpose. 

"We had a discussion with the state government recently in this regard. Following it, the board has cleared the Balagarh project to set up three super-critical power projects of 660 MW each," informed CESC Vice-Chairman, Sanjiv Goenka. The state government will also provide coal linkage for the project, adds Goenka. 

First phase of the company’s 600MW (2x300) Haldia project, is expected to be complete by this year end, whereas, the 600MW Chandrapur power project in Maharashtra will be complete in March 2013. 

The company through its subsidiary arm, Haldia Energy Ltd (HEL) also plans to raise Rs1,000 crore from private equity (PE) players for its three projects. 

A attained a growth of Rs266  crore in its net profit for the last fiscal 2011-12 as against Rs112 crore in the same period last year. The company’s net sales for the quarter stood at Rs1,348 crore, marking a 48.5% growth as against Rs908 crore in the last quarter of FY11. 

EPC News Bureau