Asia?s largest single power generation unit, with capacity to generate 600mw, in Orissa?s Jharsuguda district is ready to be commissioned this year.
“The first unit of 600mw {part of the Vedanta group?s $1900 million, 2400mw (4x 600mw) independent power project (IPP) in Jharsuguda} is in its final phase of commissioning and is expected to be fired in October 2009,” said a Vedanta spokesperson.
Vedanta is coming forward with three remaining generation units in quick succession, for which the project work is in full swing, the spokesperson said and added that all the four units of 600mw will be operational by July 2010.
Vendanta has entrusted the ECP contract for the project to Chinese company SEPCO. The Chinese company is also implementing the emission control equipment (ECP) of the project.
Besides, Vedanta is putting up a 1215mw ( 9x135mw) commercial & captive generation plant to feed its aluminium smelter at Jharsuguda. Five of the nine units of the captive plant have been put to generation and the remaining four units are expected to be commissioned in the near future.
Orissa has already signed memorandums of understanding worth Rs 60,000 crore for a further generation of 11,000mw. In addition to this, NTPC is coming up with two ultra power generation units worth 4,000mw.
The spokesperson said: “At a time when many projects are yet to take off and few have slowed down on account of recent recession, the Vedanta Group has taken up an aggressive approach of completing their projects ahead of the schedule.”
Vedanta Aluminium Ltd, a group company, has completed its 0.25m tonne smelter unit at Jharsuguda in just 24 months. The second smelter unit of 0.25m tonne is expected to be commissioned in November 2009.