Date:05/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/05/stories/2007060507770400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Southern States look to Talcher

Special Correspondent

States to seek setting up of 2,000 MW thermal power plant

Issue to figure in Southern Region Power Council meeting

BANGALORE: Concerned over the power shortage gripping the region, the southern States are planning to seek the setting up of another 2000-MW thermal power plant at Talcher in Orissa dedicated to the southern region.

Disclosing this to presspersons here on Monday, V.M. Chandre Gowda, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Managing Director (in charge) and Technical Director, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd., said the southern States were planning to set up such a power plant through the National Thermal Power Corporation, which would also operate the plant.

Talcher had been chosen as the location for the proposed plant because of the availability of coal. Orissa was also seeking free power from the plant. Negations were still going on and the issue would come up for discussion at the Southern Region Power Council meeting to be held soon, Mr. Gowda said.

The southern States already have a dedicated thermal generating unit. The power is being supplied through a high voltage direct current power line that links Orissa (Talcher) and Karnataka (Kolar).

He said Karnataka had been assured of 800 MW each from the proposed ultra mega power plants to be set up in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.