Thermal power stations in Odisha to generate 70 MT of fly ash: Govt

Bhubaneswar: Thermal power stations in Odisha are estimated to generate as much as 70 million tonnes (MT) of fly ash annually after completion of all projects.

This was stated by Odisha Energy minister Pranab Prakash Das in the Assembly today while replying to a written question of BJP member Dilip Ray.

"While seven existing thermal power stations now generate 25 MT of fly ash, it is estimated that about 70 million of fly ash will be produced annually when all IPPs (Independent Power Producers) start functioning," he said.

The minister said the thermal power stations have been asked by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board to create captive fly ash ponds and utilise the ash in making bricks, blocks and roads for the better management of fly ash.

Das said while seven thermal stations were already in operation in the state, the Odisha government has signed MoUs with 30 IPPs for setting up thermal power generation projects in different parts of the state.

Of the 30 IPPs, agreement with three of them have been rejected due to different reasons, the minister said, adding that the three IPPs have so far started commercial production.

The three IPPs which have started commercial operation were Vedanta Limited at Jharsuguda (600 MW), GMR Kamalang Energy Limited at Kamalanga in Dhenkanal district (472.5 MW) and Jindal India Thermal Power Limited at Derang, Talcher in Angul district (144 MW), the minister said.

Four other projects were under construction. The remaining 20 IPPs have not started work on their projects, Das added.