Siemens, Wartsila firm up decentralised power plans

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Wartsila to set up 20 projects worth 1,000 MW

Wartsila is looking to develop 20 projects in the decentralised captive power distribution business in India, with a total generation capacity of 1,000 MW.

Each of these projects will range 25 MW to 300 MW. “Of the 20 proposed projects, Wartsila India will hold equity with strategic partners like GAIL and NTPC in some,” said Wartsila India managing director Rakesh Sarin in an exclusive interview with FE here on Wednesday.

“In some projects, Wartsila will develop, supply equipments, operate and maintain the plant while also supplying spares,” he added. However, he declined to divulge financial details in for the projects.

Sarin said that ideally, the company will prefer locating such projects near the load and on the gas grid. “We have already instituted a study to explore locations (load centres) in various states,” he said.

Wartsila India, however, wants the government to allot 5 million metric standard cubic metre per day (MMSCMD) of gas for decentralised gas power plants that meet a 60% thermal efficiency, criteria, he noted.

Sarin’s comments are crucial, given that Wartsila has an installed base exceeding 3,200 MW and over 250 decentralised power plants across the country at present. Besides, it also takes care of the operation and maintenance of 60 multi-fuel (high furnace oil, gas, coal biofuel) power plants on behalf of its customers, generating over 700 MW of power. Decentralised power generation helps tackle peak loads and provides perfect foil for renewable energy.