Ratnagiri power plant gets a push

In a bid to increase its power generation capacity, the state power utility Mahagenco has called for expression of interest from companies to participate in a joint venture for development of a 3,200 MW coal-based power plant at Ratnagiri.

The plant, which would have four units of 800 MW each, will be set up at MIDC's Veldur Industrial Area near Dhopave village in Ratnagiri, Mahagenco’s official said.

"The estimated cost of the project could be around Rs 20,800 crore, based on the current benchmark," said Mahagenco's executive director (finance & commercial) Srinivasan Jaikumar.

He said this would be the first ‘green field’ plant where private participation will be allowed.

"We have nearly eight power projects in Maharashtra, which are solely funded by the state. But in this case, a private company would invest in the project and also take care of development of land and maintenance of the plant," Jaikumar said.

He said the process for acquiring the land has started. The annual coal requirement for the proposed power plant is expected to be 16.8 million tonnes. It has planned to use the coal blocks — Macchakata and Mahanadi — allotted to Mahaguj Collieries Ltd by the ministry of coal, for the project.