Canadian firms plan to invest in India’s power generation sector

Our Economic Bureau

New Delhi, May 17: FOLLOWING Canada’s decision to re-engage with India, Canadian power companies are keen on investing in the electricity generation sector in the country.

Nearly a score of such companies are on a scouting mission in the country to consider the 10 or so power generation projects (both thermal and hydel and wind projects) for possible investments, financing, equipment supply and technology transfer. Canadian International Development Agency’s (CIDA) South Asia project manager (industrial cooperation programme) WR Trenhlom told mediapersons on Thursday here that feasibility studies are being carried out on these projects.

Officials said that the Canadian companies are looking for investments in places like Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. And one of their largest thermal power projects, ‘Jawahar-Hapur’ 800 MW, will be located near Agra. According to Mr Trenhlom, Canadian companies are interested in participation in established projects. Officials said that the conditions are ideally suited for investments in the infrastructure sector too. There are possibilities for technology transfer, joint ventures and opportunities to look at the modalities of the corporate structure, they added. Other areas where Canada has shown interest for investments, apart from power, is in food processing, environment technology, oil fields,water treatment plants, coastal protection projects, and converting rice husk in building material.