NTPC to set up 1,000 MW power plant near Khambhat

www.dnaindia.com
March 21, 2010

Gandhinagar: The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is mulling setting up a thermal power plant of 1000 MW capacity, likely to be located near Khambhat. Bharatsinh Solanki, Union Minister of State for Power released this information in Gandhinagar, on the occasion of signing of Memorandum of Understanding on Saturday between Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd (GPCL) and NTPC for setting up a 500 MW renewable energy-based power plant in Gujarat.

GPCL is the nodal agency of Gujarat government for power projects implementation in the state. Talking to media persons in Gandhinagar after the signing, Solanki said: "NTPC has also come up with a proposal to set up a coal-based power plant of 1,000 MW preferably near Khambhat and the state government is ready to help in its execution." As per terms and conditions of the MoU, NTPC will set up the plants while GPCL will assist in land acquisition and getting necessary approval from the government and also enter into power purchase agreement with the former.

Out of a total 500 MW, 400 MW will be generated through wind energy, while rest of the power plants will be run on solar energy. These projects will require investment of around Rs 4,000 crore and all the projects are expected to be completed in 30 months. Gujarat government has already given its approval to NTPC for setting up a 50 MW solar power plant at Morwada in Gujarat. Commenting on the MoU, Saurabh Patel said, "After announcement of the solar policy by the state government, 34 companies have shown keen interest to set up solar power plants with total capacity of 766 MW."