Govt starts process of setting up four new ultra mega power projects

With an aim to enhance the power production in the country, the government has started the process for setting up four new ultra mega power projects (UMPP) in states including Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. These four UMPP are likely to add 16,000 MW capacities to the country's power generation.  

The Government has stated that the land for the proposed project in Jharkhand has been acquired while in the case of two UMPPs in Odisha and one in Bihar, the respective state governments have identified suitable sites. The price bids for these proposed plants are yet to be submitted after which the UMPPs will be awarded to industry players. The major industry players like NTPC, Tata Power, NHPC, Adani Power, JSW Energy and Jindal Power have submitted applications for the proposed projects. So far, four UMPPs have been awarded in the country in states Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, of which Reliance Power has bagged three plants and Tata Power has bagged one.

In India, electricity is produced with the help of coal, crude oil, water and natural gas. At present industry installed capacity stands at around 248 GW out of which coal-fired plants account for about 59% and hydro plants compromises around 17% of India's installed electricity capacity.