Toby Smith

In January and February 2011, I personally witnessed the incredible mobilisation and construction of 2 Super-Critical Coal power plants in Haryana state. On one specific site 2 x 110MW plants were being built side-by-side. Both sites were utilising extensive new infrastructure connections to connect the acquired marginal land to sufficient water, grid and coal reserves.

One project was funded by the Indian government and the other by a private investment firm with a majority stake hold owned by a Hong Kong equity firm. This mirrors the mix of investment across Northern India in heavy industry. Both of these projects are coming “on-line” within the next 12-18 months. They are principally using imported Chinese technology and components, which are transported over 5,000km by sea and road.  Assembly is completed by over 1,000 skilled Chinese engineers supported by over 8,500 local laborers.

These plants, sited on marginal land are destined to support the planned exponential development of New Delhi in both manufacturing and electronics sectors throughout the next decade. In line with this schedule is the currently undocumented extension of the Indian Railway Corporation’s goods line from Central Haryana to the states of Uttah Pradesh and other Northern Coal-Rich States.

India will indeed face a “coal-crisis” where its demand for energy to support development may outstrip the speed at which bureaucrats can defeat the powerful environmental ministry that defends its landscape against the extraction of coal.

The development and requirement of coal, to in-fill the commissioning lag of nuclear technology, is a certainty. What is unsure is whether India will squash environmental and political resistance to extract its own coal reserves or be held ransom on the open-market for importing its coal.

CLP India’s growing portfolio of wind power projects are an integral part of the CLP Group’s renewable portfolio. Investment in the renewable energy sector is driven by the Group’s strategy of reducing the carbon footprint of the business by moving away from reliance on conventional coal fired generation and increasing the share of non-carbon emitting in our portfolio to 30% by 2020 as prescribed in the Group’s climate strategy.

In India, CLP has already invested in approximately 640 MW of wind power projects which are in various stages of development. This apart, CLP is also reviewing the prospects of investing in other wind, solar, biomass, and other renewable energy projects.

The Saundatti wind farm is a 82.4 MW wind power project located near the Saundatti town in Belgaum district in the south Indian state of Karnataka. The project will sell 100% of its output to the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited under the terms of a 20-year power purchase agreement.

Gujarat is a Western state in India. Gujarat played an important role in the economic history of India throughout the history of India  The state has the fastest growing economy in India and is also one of the most industrialised states. It  has a per capita GDP almost twice that of the national average.

Gujarat Paguthan Energy Corporation (GPEC) is a 655 MW gas-fired combined cycle power plant at Paguthan, near Bharuch in the state of Gujarat. Apart from its consistent year-on-year plant performance, GPEC has set a benchmark in the Industry for complying with highest level of safety and environmental standards, nationally and internationally.

 

 

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