An Australia-based power giant is keen on setting up 5000 MW of coal-based thermal power project along the Machilipatnam coast in Krishna district. Seeking anonymity on the name of their firm and status of their site inspection along the coastline between Machilipatnam and Kruthivennu, a high level expert team from the company inspected the coast a few weeks ago.
“The Australian company team realized that the existing conditions and environment is suitable to set up a thermal power project”, Excise and B.C. Welfare Minister Kollu Ravindra told The Hindu. “The company sought at least 2,000 acres of land along the coast to come up with the project with a capacity of producing 5000 MWs of power. The company authorities will meet me this week to discuss more details about the project”, Mr. Ravindra said.
“We are welcoming the proponent to set up the mega power project. The status of our talks will be informed to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to spare the suitable location”, added Mr. Ravindra.
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Since the proponents of thermal power projects along the coastline of Coastal Andhra Pradesh are planning to import coal from countries such as Australia, Indonesia and South Africa through sea route, the company was also reportedly envisaging to import coal from Australia.
“The proposed deep-sea port in Machilipatnam is likely to be one of the facilities to be available for the company for coal import”, opined a few officials. “Being one of the leading coal exporting countries of the world, the Australian companies are exploring options to set up thermal power projects in India”, said former Union Power Secretary E.A.S. Sarma.
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In the late 2000s, Mr. Sarma had filed a petition against the Thermal Power Tech Corporation Limited that proposed 1,320 MW of power project at Polatitippa near Machilipatnam. However, the project was denied environment clearance as the proposed area comprises mangrove forest and falling under the Coastal Regulatory Zone area.