The Hindu Business Line : Bangla power venture plan still on: Tata

The doors have not been completely shut on Tata Power's plan for a 1,000-mw power project in Bangladesh, Mr Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group indicated to shareholders here on Tuesday.

Tata Power is still considering the project. However, the Bangladesh Government would take the final decision on the project, he said. The proposed project has support from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Mr Tata said that Tata Power was actively pursuing power projects with a total capacity of 15,000 mw. It would include two coastal power plants in Maharashtra with a capacity of 2,000 mw, where coal would be brought through ships. The company is also pursuing captive power projects for Tata Steel in Chattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand with a combined capacity of 2,744 mw. Further, he said that the company has received request for qualification for two ultra mega power projects totalling 8,000 mw.

A 1,000-mw Maithon Right Bank Thermal power project in a joint venture with Damodar Valley Corporation and 1,000-mw coal based power project at Chola in Uttar Pradesh were being pursued, he said.

Phasing out oil fuel

Mr Tata said that Tata Power had ensured 88 per cent of its coal requirements through long duration contracts valid till March 2009, which will help in mitigating the risk posed by high oil prices. The company plans to minimise the use of oil as fuel and maximise the use of coal, he said.

He said that Tata Power has formed an EPC (engineer-procure-construct) consortium with Siemens Power Generation, Germany and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Pvt Ltd, South Korea for the design and construction of power plants based on super critical technology.

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