Indian group eager to set up power plant near proposed deep-sea port

Syful Islam | Published: July 24, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

India's largest private power producer Adani Group has expressed its interest to establish a coal-fired power plant near the site of proposed deep sea port in Sonadia under Cox's Bazar district, sources said.
A delegation of Adani Group, headed by its Group President (International Business) Harsh Mishra, placed their proposal to the Power Division and the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) on Tuesday and discussed with its officials about their proposed investment.
The Adani Group officials on Wednesday visited the proposed site of the deep sea port to get a primary idea about the area, an official of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka told the FE.
Sources said while talking to the MoS officials, the Adani Group members said they want to set up a large sized coal-fired power plant in Sonadia. In this regard, they need to establish a terminal to handle the coal-carrying ships.
They also wanted to know if the deep sea port can incorporate a coal jetty so that separate investment for it for the power plant can be avoided. They also sought to know if the power plant can be co-located at Sonadia.
They inquired about the progress so far made regarding funding and construction of the deep sea port.
Sources said the Shipping Ministry officials informed the Adani Group that further discussion regarding incorporation of the coal jetty in the port can take place after the Power Division accepts its proposal regarding the power plant.
Regarding co-location of the power plant and the deep sea port, the MoS officials also said it can be considered after further discussion with both the Power Division and the ministry.
The government has been discussing with various countries and foreign companies on funding and construction of the deep sea port in Sonadia to cater to growing demand of external and internal trade. Â
According to a feasibility study report, carried out by the Pacific Consultants International (PCI) of Japan, the seaport at the first stage will have five international standard jetties with the capacity to handle a total of 704.01 million tonnes of containers a year. The construction cost was then estimated at Tk 600 billion.
Adani Group's Adani Power Ltd commissioned its 4th unit of 660 megawatt (MW) in April this year at its Tiroda power plant raising its total installed capacity to 8,620 MW.
Â Â It plans to raise its capacity to 20,000 MW in 2020 when the private sector will account for 40 per cent of electricity generation in India.
When contacted, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, told the FE Wednesday he had primary talks with the Adani Group officials regarding the proposal of setting up a power plant. "Our officials will examine their proposal and a decision will be taken only after its scrutiny," he said.