Only four of the 21 MoU Independent Power Projects (IPPs) in Orissa are progressing well. At a high-level review meeting held under the chairmanship of state energy minister, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, here on Tuesday, it transpired that progress of power projects set up by CESC, GMR Energy, Jindal India Thermal Power and Vedanta Sterlite Energy “is quite encouraging”.
While the Kolkata-based CESC is putting up a 1000 mw plant at Neulapoi in Dhenkanal district, GMR is setting up a 1000 mw plant at Kamalanga in Angul district. Jindal India is putting up a 1200 mw plant at Derang in Angul district while Vedanta Sterlite Energy is setting up a 2400 mw station at Bhurkhamunda in Jharsuguda district.
The meeting, however, expressed its dissatisfaction on the progress of the projects being set up by Visa Power, Essar Power and Mahanadi Aban Power. Visa Power is setting up a 1000 mw plant at Brahmanabasta near Athagarh in Cuttack district, while Essar Power is putting up a 1000 mw station at Talcher in Angul district. Mahanadi Aban is working on a 1030 mw power project at Talcher and Angul. Visa Power officials said they were serious about the power project and were waiting for issues like coal linkage and water to be sorted out.
Energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said the defaulting companies have been asked to explain why their projects are not progressing as per the MoU milestones. He warned that the govt may take a strong view against the willful defaulters.