NHPC to submit report on Myanmar projects

NHPC plans to submit a report on proposed power projects in Myanmar to the Union Ministry of External Affairs by October 2010.

India plans to revive the stalled 1,200 MW Tamanthi hydel power plant and the 642 MW Shwezaye plant on the Chindwin river. The power projects and a transmission link together are to entail a cost of Rs 25,000 crore.

The feasibility reports on Tamanthi and Shwezaye have been prepared by Switzerland's Colenco Power Engineering and Japan's Kansai Electric Power Company Inc.

Tata Power consortium gets geothermal project in Indonesia

A consortium comprising Tata Power has secured a geothermal power project in Indonesia.

The consortium which also includes Australian company Origin Energy and PT Supraco Indonesia will set up the 240 MW Sorik Marapi plant in Northern Sumatra.

The project will be developed by PT Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power, a special purpose vehicle formed by the consortium in which Tata and Origin Energy have 47.50 per cent stake each while PT Supraco has five per cent.

The consortium will undertake a detailed exploration programme over the next 18 months. The project is expected to commence generation in June 2015.

Ranbaxy sets up another manufacturing unit in South Africa

Ranbaxy Laboratories has set up a new manufacturing facility in South Africa.

The new unit has been set up at an investment of $30 million (approx Rs 139.5 crore). It has the capacity to produce approximately 1.75 billion units per annum and packaging of two billion units per annum of drugs.

The plant is likely to manufacture analgesics, cold, cough and flu preparations, antihistamines, anti-hypertensive, central nervous system drugs, vitamins and minerals as well as a comprehensive range of over-the-counter medication. The products manufactured are to comprise tablets and hard gelatin capsules which are likely to be supplied to current registered regions.

Two entities shortlisted for Kosovo power project

Adani Power and its Indonesian arm PT Adani Global have been shortlisted for a power project in Kosovo. The companies are among four groups selected by Kosovo Energy Corporation to bid for a 1,238 MW thermal power project and coal-mining rights. The project comprises to coal based units of 560 MW and 678 MW. The winning group will secure mining rights for about 330 million tonne of lignite from the Sibovc South area to supply both units.

The other prequalified bidders include a consortium of AES Electric and Demir Export A.S., Greece based PPC and ContourGlobal LLP and Turkey's Park Holding A.S.

ONGC in fray for Trebs, Titov fields in Russia

ONGC has submitted its bid for Trebs and Titov oilfields in Russia.

The company is bidding for the proposed fields through its Russia based unit, Nord Imperial. The two fields may hold more than 200 million tonne of recoverable reserves.

The other companies which are in race for the development of these oilfields include LukOil, TNKBP, Gazprom Neft, Surgutneftegaz and OAO Bashneft.

Nord Imperial is part of Imperial Energy, which OVL, the overseas investment arm of ONGC, has acquired in 2008.

ICVL may buy mines in Indonesia, Mozambique

International Coal Ventures (ICVL), a consortium of SAIL and NMDC, RINL, NTPC and Coal India, is on the lookout for mines in Indonesia and Mozambique.

ICVL has partnered with RITES to prepare a feasibility report on the possible buyouts. RITES will prepare the feasibility report on setting up necessary infrastructure for transporting coal mined by ICVL. The company was formed in 2008 for the purpose of scouting and acquiring coal mines abroad to bridge the domestic demand-supply gap which at present is at about 80 million tonne.

Reliance, Adani, GMR to bid for mine in Australia

Reliance Power, Adani Power and GMR are in fray to buy a coal mine asset in Australia. The mine having reserves of 280-300 million tonne is worth $1 billion (approx Rs 4,600 crore). The asset is unique as it comes with an operating power plant of 500 MW. There are total of 31 bidders, including Japan and China based companies. Since the asset is very expensive, companies might look at forging JV with international partners to put in bids.

NMDC may acquire stake in Potash One's mining projects

NMDC may buy 30 per cent stake in a South Africa based firm's rock phosphate mine in Zimbabwe. NMDC may invest in Potash One Inc's mining project at Saskatchewan in Canada and a rock phosphate venture in Zimbabwe, as part of a plan to diversify into fertilisers.

Meanwhile, the company has inked a deal with South Africa's Kopano Ke Matla to jointly acquire and explore coal, iron ore and manganese ore properties in South Africa. Both companies inked an agreement on 2 September 2010 to set up a JV company--Kopano-NMDC Minerals--wherein both will have 50:50 equity.