Dhami seeks coal block, to utilizing THDC’s experience in thermal power
PrashantNews
With the THDC India ltd developing its first 1320 Mw thermal power plant at Khurja in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has sought allocation of a coal block from the centre to utilize the power company’s experience to build a pit-head thermal power plant for the hill state.
During a meeting with Union Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi on Wednesday, Dhami sought the allocation of a coal block with a reserve of about 125 million tonnes to the state to set up a 1,000 MW pit-head thermal power plant.
The UJVN Ltd, a state government undertaking, has recently joined hands with the THDC, a PSU, to form a joint venture company for the rapid development of power projects. The new joint venture will be called THDCIL-UJVNL Energy Company Ltd with the state government allocating five major projects totally 1719 Mw with an investment of Rs 17000 crore. THDCIL will have the majority 74 percent stakes in the new joint venture company and the rest of the 26 percent will be shared by UJVN.
Keeping in mind the experience of the THDC in the field of thermal power generation, it is proposed to set up a pit-head thermal power plant through this new joint venture to meet the power demand of the state, Dhami said. Uttarakhand is one of the few states where no thermal power station is operational, he said.
The chief minister called for allocating one coal block to the state on a priority basis with Joshi assuring all help.
Due to a favourable industrial policy, there has been rapid industrial development in the state, as a result of which the demand for electricity has increased continuously, Dhami said. Power shortage becomes severe during the winter season, as cold temperatures reduce the flow of water in rivers. The demand for electricity in the state is increasing at the rate of about 4 to 5 per cent every year, and during the lean season period, there is an average shortfall of about 4 to 5 MU per day, he said. Due to increasing industrialization, the demand for electricity is likely to increase further in the coming years.