Tata Power eyes stake in overseas coal mines

Tata Power is looking for a strategic stake purchase in coal mines of Indonesia or South Africa to fuel its upcoming 1600 MW super-critical thermal power project in coastal Maharashtra, a top company official said.

"We are looking for a strategic stake purchase in coal mines either in Indonesia or in South Africa for our 1600 MW super-critical thermal power project in Dherand-Shahpur in coastal Maharashtra," Tata Power Executive Director S Padmanabhan told PTI here on Tuesday.

"We need 6-8 million tonnes of coal to fuel the 2x800 MW plant. So we will not go for buying an entire coal mine. But based on the size of the mine, we will acquire a stake that will assure 8-9 million tonnes of coal supply," he said.

The company has a 30 per cent stake in KPC mine in Indonesia that supplies 12-14 million tonnes of coal to its 4000-MW Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project, he said.

The Indonesian mine produces 55-60 million tonnes of coal annually. The company requires 1,000 acres land for the Rs 9,000- crore (Rs 90 billion) Dherand -Shahpur project and the process for acquiring land is on. Meanwhile, the company has launched a computer literacy programme for the youngsters in the villages around the project area and taken steps to provide clean drinking water, he said.