Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has won the mandate
for executing two 500 MW thermal power projects promoted by AP Genco, at
Bhoopalapally and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.
The Bhoopalapally project in Warangal district
has received most of the statutory clearances, and coal and water linkages have
also been firmed up. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) would contribute
Rs.1,680 crore towards the Rs.2,200 crore project.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S.
Rajashekhara Reddy, has directed AP Genco to put the two projects on fast-track
mode and ensure they were commissioned during the first half of 2008.
It may be mentioned that the originally designed
capacity for Vijaywada thermal power project (Stage IV) was for 660 MW capacity.
However, high per-MW costs, resulted in a downscaling the capacity to 500 MW.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has also
directed AP Genco to set up a 2 x 800 MW supercritical power project at
Krishnapatnam in Nellore district. The thermal project located in a coastal area
will have the advantage of a jetty facility. Being a mega project (above 1,000
mw), it can avail of customs duty exemption, which would make it cost effective.
The project is scheduled for commissioning by 2009.