BHUBANESWAR: The State-owned Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) has already spent `1,011.59 crore on the third and fourth units of Ib Thermal Power Station and development of coal blocks.
Providing details of its expenditure made on the expansion of Ib thermal power project at Banharpalli in Jharsuguda district as on October 21, 2014 to the Ministry of Coal, the Corporation has informed that about `308.25 crore has been utilised on development of coal blocks and merry-go-round system for transportation of coal.
Besides, the company has made a committed expenditure of over `5,000 crore by awarding two major contracts to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and BGR Energy.
The power plant will be constructed under two EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) packages, Boiler-Turbine-Generator (BTG) supply and erection, which has been awarded to BHEL and Balance of
Plant (BOP) supply and erection, awarded to BGR Energy.
The Coal Ministry has asked allottees of 32 coal blocks, which are ready to mine, to furnish information about all permits, licences, permissions, approvals and entitlements relevant to mining operation by December 15.
These 32 mines allotted to State PSUs are part of 204 coal blocks whose allocation was quashed by the Supreme Court on the ground that they were done in an illegal manner.
The OPGC was allocated two coal blocks - Manoharpur and dip side of Manoharpur - on July 25, 2007 to cater to its expansion plan. However, the OPGC could not develop the coal project due to refusal of the Ministry of Environment and Forest to grant requisite clearances. The Ministry finally granted permission in August, 2012.
The OPGC is adding capacity of two super critical units of 660 MW each to its existing capacity of 420 (2X210) MW plant at a projected cost of `11,547 crore to be funded at a debt equity ratio of 75:25.
Debt financing of `660 crore has been tied up jointly with Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC).
Even as the Centre is gearing up for coal block auction, the State Government recently made a strong plea to the Ministry of Coal for re-allocation of the two coal blocks to OPGC.
