Mumbai: State-run power generation company Mahagenco has expressed concern over the delay in allocation of gas by the Centre for its proposed 1,220-MW project at Uran near here.
The company has received all the statutory clearances for the project, with land and water also available.
"What we don't have is the assurance about gas. We are ready to float tenders in the next 15 days, but we cannot do it unless we get an assurance from the Centre about gas allocation," Mahagenco Managing Director Subrat Ratho said.
Mahagenco plans to set up a 1,220-MW gas-based combined cycle power plant with two units of 406-MW and 814-MW capacity, respectively, at Uran, in Raigad.
He added that Maharashtra is a highly industrialised state and "we pay the highest income tax... Therefore, we are asking the Centre to allocate gas to us on priority, so that we can start the plant in two years."
Mahagenco had proposed to commence Block I (406 MW) of the plant by March, 2014, followed by Block II (814 MW) by June, 2014.
The company said that it is uncertain about the future of its power plants.
"We are concerned about our proposed power projects. Today we don't have the right kind of coal. We are uncertain about the future of our proposed thermal projects," Ratho said.
At present, the total generation capacity of Mahagenco is 9,737 MW, of which 66.55 per cent (6,480 MW) comes from thermal plants. It generates 672 MW from gas-based plants and 2,585 MW from hydro power plants.
The state-run utility had set a target for generation of 4,000 MW of power in October, but output is 500 MW short of the mark so far due to coal shortages.
"New Parli (250 MW) and Khaperkheda (500 MW) do not have adequate coal stock... We have not been able to supply power to Mahavitaran (state-run discom). As a result, the citizens are facing load-shedding," he said.
The state does not have additional potential for generating electricity from hydel sources, added Ratho.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, October 16, 2011, 16:01