Date:20/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/20/stories/2006022001561400.htm

Back Bhoopalapally power project gets environmental clearance

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Feb 19

THE Rs 2,077-crore 500 MW Bhoopalapally project has received environmental clearance and work is expected to get under way by May, according to the State Energy Minister, Mr Mohammed Ali Shabbir.

The Government is also considering a proposal to set up a 2,100 MW gas-based plant in Karimnagar district instead of the earlier proposal to locate it in Shakarpally, near Hyderabad.

Speaking to newspersons, the Minister said that the Bhoopalapally project of AP Genco, which is likely to be completed by November 2008, has firmed up 2.13 million tonnes of fuel (coal) supply from the Kakatiya Coal Mine of the State-owned Singareni Collieries Company Ltd.

Referring to the overall installed capacity in the State, the Minister said that from 11,100 MW currently, it will go up by about 4,000 MW by 2010.

Of the total installed capacity, thermal generation accounts for 2,962 MW, while hydel power contributes 3,586.36 MW; gas plants account for 996.62 MW, and the rest comes through other modes such as wind.

Load shedding likely

Referring to the sudden spurt in State's overall energy consumption, the Minister said that yesterday the State recorded total demand of 165 million units, by far the highest recorded in a day. During the same day last year, the demand was 156 million units. Given the demand spurt, the Government may consider some load correction in towns to meet the demand from farm sector users during the rabi season.