Govt identifies 10th ultra mega power project

The government has proposed to make an addition to the proposed 4,000 MW ultra mega power projects -- bringing the total to 10 -- to bridge the gap in meeting 11th plan capacity addition target.

"The government has launched a special initiative for the development of coal-based ultra mega power projects.... 10 such projects have already been identified to boost capacity," Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said while inaugurating the 10th India Power Forum, 2007, organised by India Energy Forum.

The government had earlier announced nine ultra mega power projects, of which two -- Sasan and Mundra -- have been awarded to ADAG Reliance Power

Ltd and Tata Power.

Earlier on September 5, the minister had hinted at considering an ultra mega power project at Marakkanam in Tamil Nadu, besides the already proposed one at Cheyyur.

"...a survey team will be deployed soon to carry out the required formalities," he had said.

Meanwhile, Power Secretary Anil Razdan said the Krishnapatnam project in Andhra Pradesh would be finalised before the year-end.

"We will achieve the 78,579 MW power addition target in the current five year plan. The government will invest Rs 10,00,000 crore to achieve the capacity addition target and we will try to cross this target in this plan period," Shinde
said.