With the issue of Indian investment in the power sector likely to figure in the talks during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Myanmar from Sunday, state-run NHPC has submitted detailed project reports (DPRs) for two major hydro power projects — Tamanthi and Shwezaye — to the government there.
NHPC had been entrusted with the task of carrying out additional investigations and preparation of updated DPRs for 1,200 MW Tamanthi and 880 MW Shwezaye hydro power projects in Myanmar by the Ministry of External Affairs. NHPC submitted the DPR for 880 MW Shwezaye last month and for the 1,200 MW Tamanthi in October 2011. NHPC has been designated as ‘executing agency' for Tamanthi and Shwezaye projects.
According to NHPC Chairman and Managing Director A. B. L. Srivastava, NHPC is providing consultancy services in various fields of hydro power, including river basin studies, design and engineering, geological studies, hydraulic transient studies, hydrological studies, contract management, construction management, underground construction, testing commissioning, operation and maintenance to leading organisations globally.
He said NHPC had plans to continue expanding its international operations and help in harnessing the hydro power potential available internationally by leveraging its existing relationships and goodwill earned through past consultancy assignments.
Under the ‘Action Plan' on India-Bhutan co-operation in hydro power development of 10,000 MW by 2020, NHPC had been entrusted with the work for preparing DPR of Chamkharchhu-I hydro power project and preparation of PFRs (project feasibility report) of Kuri Gongri reservoir projects in Bhutan. The draft DPR for Chamkharchhu-I project (770 MW) has been submitted to the Bhutan Government in March 2012. Discussions are under way with Bhutanese counterpart for the formation of a joint venture company in Bhutan for implementing the Chamkharchhu-I project under BOOT (build, own, operate, transfer) model.
The draft PFR for Kuri Gongri basin projects has been submitted to the Bhutan Government this month.
