OPGC signs contract with BHEL

The BTG (boiler, turbine and generator) supply and installation agreement was signed by AES Corporation managed OPGC's Managing Director Venkatachalam Kuppusami and BHEL's General Manager (Marketing) V Venkatkrishnan.

After signing the contract, the OPGC Managing Director said BHEL won the international competitive bidding (ICB) for the job by quoting Rs 4,051 crore.

It involves supply of the main plant (boiler, turbine and generator) at an all inclusive firm price of Rs 3,748.94 crore and erection of the main plant at Rs 302.06 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, state energy secretary P K Jena, who is also Chairman of OPGC, said the 2X660 MW project would be completed by March, 2017.

Stating that the state government was making constant efforts to generate cheap power from thermal and hydel sectors, Odisha's Energy Minister Arun Sahoo said the aim is to provide power at affordable rates to the common people.

Underlining the need for addressing environmental concerns, Development Commissioner JK Mohapatra asked OPGC to make the expansion project the 'cleanest' power plant in the country with effective pollution control mechanism.

The OPGC, in which AES Corporation is in the management responsibility with 49 per cent stake even though Odisha government has 51 per cent stake, is set to expand its 420 MW (2x210 MW) ITPS by 1360 MW with addition of two units of super critical 660 MW.

OPGC had recently tied up the Rs 8,660 crore debt component from Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC). The expansion project is scheduled to be commissioned during the 12th Plan Period.

The agreement signing in ceremony was also attended by AES country Manager A S Rao, and Bhel's Executive Director (Eastern Region) Rajiv Kumar.