JSEB: Big plans

Ranchi, April 25: After yesterday’s success of Jindal Steel & Power Limited’s (JSPL) steel plant, Patratu will again be at the centre stage of industrialisation with the Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB) planning to come up with a thermal power plant in the area.

JSEB has invited global tenders for expression of interest to select a developer for setting up a thermal power plant with a capacity ranging between 1,320MW and 1,980MW on build, own and operate (BOO) basis near Patratu.

A pre-bid conference for the interested and eligible developers has been called on May 10 here when the prospective developers would be apprised of the nitty-gritty of the tendering process.

JSEB has been allocated Banhardih coal block (in Latehar district) for setting up a thermal power plant. The same would be a pit head power station at Patratu in Ramgarh district where JSEB has been eyeing for perennial water availability as well as ready-to-use thousands of acres of land currently at the disposal of Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS).

JSEB chief engineer (project) P.K. Sinha told The Telegraph that a joint venture would be formed between the state government and prospective developer for mining coal and generating power.

“The developer has to spell out in advance at what per unit cost they intend to provide power. We are looking forward for the project,” said Sinha.

Banhardih coal block, spread over 10-12sqkm, was allotted to JSEB in 2006 only.

The coal block is envisaged to be developed and mined by a joint venture company formed between the successful bidder of the power project and JSEB.

JSEB is undertaking preliminary studies and facilitating necessary clearance, including water, land, environmental among others, to award the project to the successful bidder. The government would provide the land to the successful developer on lease.

Banhardih coal block has expected deposit of 400 million tonnes. It was allocated to JSEB by the Union ministry of coal a couple of years back.

According to the plan, the coal block will be linked with the proposed project and the successful bidder would be allowed to develop the coal block along with the power plant.

Despite many power projects are in the pipeline, not much progress has been made in most of them.