NTPC JV to provide 1,000Mw thermal power

Karnataka will have a right over usage of 1,000 Mega Watts (MW) of power from the 2,000 MW thermal power project it is setting up as a joint venture with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The state government is still scouting a location for the project. The project will be set up with an estimated investment of Rs 10,000 crore. “Karnataka will have a right over 1,000 MW of power. The remaining 1,000 MW can be sold, where the first right of refusal will lie with Karnataka, “said Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of State for Power. On the 4000 MW thermal power project at Kudagi in Bijapur district, Ramesh said that he has written to the union ministry to give it an Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) status. Karnataka has been allocated 1,558 MW but has been supplied with only 1,000 MW of power due to power shortage. “Nuclear power stations are functioning at 45 per cent of their capacity and gas-based power stations are functioning at 50 per cent their capacity due to shortage of Uranium. This is expected to improve post April 2009 due to availability of Uranium through the nuclear deal,” said Ramesh. The State-run hydro power producer NHPC, which was planning to come out with an initial public offer, has decided to defer its issue due to market conditions, added Ramesh.