Meghalaya proposes thermal power plant in State

Land sought in Angul for the project

The Meghalaya government has sought a patch of land in Angul district in the State for setting up a 1320 mw thermal power plant. Meghalaya has proposed to establish the pithead power plant under a joint venture. It has already floated RFP (Request for Proposal) for selection of a developer for setting up 1320 mw (2X660 mw) domestic coal-based supercritical thermal power station.

Meghalaya evinced interest in setting up thermal power plant following allotment of Mandakini-B coal block to Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation (MMDC) along with Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), and Assam Mineral Development Corporation (AMDC).

All the four entities have already incorporated a joint venture company -- Mandakini-B Coal Corporation Limited (MBCCL) -- for development of the mine. As per current estimations, the coal block has 1200 million metric tons (MMT) of coal reserve which means MMDC would have share of 300 MMT.

The supply of coal for the project will be made from Mandakini-B coal block for which the joint venture company will enter into a fuel supply agreement with MMDC and MBCCL.

“We have already sent a request to the Odisha government for land. We are ready to pay requisite fee for land. Consultation will be carried forward after the State considers our proposal,” Jophthiaw Lyngdoh, Meghalaya’s power secretary, told The Hindu over phone.