The Union Power Ministry has sought an allocation of 14.5 million standard cubic metres per day (mscmd) of gas from the Reliance Industries' KG basin facility for four power projects poised to produce nearly 4,136 MW of power during the current Plan.
Apart from Anil Dhirubhai Ambani-owned Reliance Power Limited (RPL), the Ministry has sought allocation for three other projects including that of Torrent Power.
The Power Ministry had sought 14.5 mscmd of gas for the four projects during the last meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The request was made on the ground that these projects have most approvals and would be commissioned by March 31, 2012.
The Power Ministry, in its submission to the EGoM, had recommended allocation of 8 mscmd of gas for the 2,400 MW expansion project planned by RPL at Samalkot in Andhra Pradesh on the basis that the project had environmental clearance besides land, water and all other infrastructure facilities.
It had also sought 4.48 mscmd of gas for the 1,200 MW project Torrent Power is setting up at Dahej SEZ in Gujarat, 0.4 mscmd for 100 MW unit of Pandurang Energy Systems at West Godavari District and 1.62 mscmd for 436 MW plant of RVK Energy at East Godavari District, both in Andhra Pradesh.
Besides the four projects, GMR is also in queue for 3.88 mscmd of gas for its 2x284 MW Vemagiri project in East Godavari District.
The company also entered into gas transportation agreement with GAIL for transporting gas, which the project will need from April 2011.
In addition, Lanco has sought 3.5 mscmd of gas for 742 MW Stage-III expansion of its Kondapalli project that will be commissioned by June 2011.
