APGenco gets nod for nuclear power project

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr. Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, agreed to the proposal of AP Genco to establish a 2x1000 MW nuclear power plant at either in Kadapa or Srikakulam districts.

At a meeting held earlier this month, Nuclear Power Corporation of India expressed keenness to set up a joint venture project with AP Genco.

The State has uranium in Kadapa, Nuclear Fuel Complex in Hyderabad, heavy water plant at Manuguru in Khammam district, and easy availability of land and water and believes that it is well positioned to execute this project.

The Chief Minister also announced that AP Genco would establish a second 4,000 MW Ultra Mega Thermal Power Project (UMPP) near Vodarevu in Prakasam district.

He directed the company to carve out a Special Purpose Vehicle and complete other formalities. The Chief Minister would lay the foundation stone for the ultra mega project in December. This will be located near the Vodarevu Port.

In addition to this, the Central Government is planning another ultra mega thermal power project of 4000 MW capacity either at Vodarevu or at Nizampatnam.

The Central Electricity Authority technical team would visit the sites soon.

The Chief Minister reviewed AP Genco’s performance today at Secretariat.

AP Genco supplies about 48 per cent of energy requirements of the State contributing 114.4 million units per day during September 2008 and 83.9 mu per day during April 2008 to September 2008.

With AP Genco thermal stations experiencing shortage of coal supplies, the Chief Minister asked AP Genco to procure imported coal and also coal from Mahanadi mines.

The State plans to take up with the Prime Minister the issue of additional coal supply from Mahanadi and Sinagareni Collieries.

Meanwhile, AP Genco is bidding for two new blocks of coal from Mahanadi for its future needs.