RPower aims big in hydro power
After bagging three of the four ultra-mega thermal power projects, Reliance Power is now turning its focus towards the development of hydro power projects.
After bagging three of the four ultra-mega thermal power projects, Reliance Power is now turning its focus towards the development of hydro power projects.
The company has recently signed agreements with the government of Arunachal Pradesh for implementing four hydro power projects with a total capacity of 2,520 megawatt (mw). The new projects awarded through the competitive bidding route include the 1200-mw Kalai-II, 420-mw Amulin, 500-mw Emini and the 400-mw Mihundon.
With this, the current hydro project portfolio of Reliance Power has become 4,620 mw, one of the largest in the country's private sector. This is comparable to the installed capacity of 5,175 mw of state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
Asked to comment on the time taken for completing these projects a senior RPL official said, “Historically, the time taken to execute a hydro power project, from preparing the detailed project report (DPR) to power generation can take 10-12 years. Reliance Power with its Run-of-river (ROR) projects may do it in 6-7 years.”
“All the current projects are expected to be commissioned within the Eleventh Plan period. Tato II will be the first project to go on-stream,” he said.
The hydro power projects, already under the fold of Reliance Power in the state include Tato II (700 mw) and Siyom (1,000 mw). Construction activities have commenced at Tato II and Siyom and preliminary work like preparation of the DPR is on for all other projects.
All of Reliance Power hydro projects are ROR projects.