In a bid to reduce Maharashtra’s power deficit, the state-owned power generation company, Mahagenco, has decided to build two thermal power plants to overcome its present shortage of about 4,000 megawatts (MW). Mahagenco invited expression of interest for the two plans, at Dhopawe and Dondaicha, on Saturday.
The two thermal power plants will have the capacity to generate 5,280 MW daily, to reduce power cuts across the state.
The coal-fired plants will be set up at Dhopawe, in coastal Ratnagiri district, and Dondaicha, in Dhule district, with the help of private partners on public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
Mahagenco plans to finish the projects within four to five years. The Dhopawe plant will have a capacity of 1,980 MW while Dondaicha will have 3,300 MW. The cost of construction could come to Rs5-6 crore per MW capacity. After completion, Dondaicha will have the highest installed capacity in the state.
Mahagenco has lately been unable to generate to its fullest installed capacity because the units are old and there is a marked coal deficit. Mahagenco supplies solely to the state distribution arm MahaVitaran, which caters to 1.90 crore consumers across the state including Mumbai’s eastern suburbs.
The short-listed eligible and capable bidders will form a joint venture company with Mahagenco to set up, operate and maintain five units of 660 MW units each in Dondaicha, while three units of 660MW will come up at Dhopawe. The Letter of Intent (LoI) to bid process will be completed by August 17.
According to officials, Mahagenco has acquired 600 hectares in Dhopawe and 942 hectares in Dondaicha, and environmental clearances have been obtained.
