NHPC to invest Rs 180,000 cr

Prasad claimed that the corporation would complete all its projects before the scheduled date to save both on interest during construction and revenue generated through sale of electricity for the advancement of projects. In this connection, he cited the example of 300 mw Chamera hydro project saying it would be commissioned 15 months ahead of scheduled 2002 and it would help generate additional electricity worth Rs 350 crore besides savings of Rs 75 crore on interest.

Prasad said that the corporation was soon going to signformal agreement with the Jammu and Kashmir government for executing seven projects with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore adding that the state government had agreed to transfer these on 100 per cent basis. "As and when the state government returns the equity on these projects, we will transfer them back," he said.

Similar arrangements were also being worked out with theWest Bengal Government, he said adding the projects transferred from the states were being taken by the corporation on the built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

Meanwhile, Prasad said that the detailed project reportof Parbati Stage-II 800 MW in Himachal Pradesh would be ready soon and it would be submitted to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for techno-economic clearance.

With an estimated cost of Rs. 2,150 crore, NHPC would beholding 100 per cent equity in Parbati Stage-II project, Prasad said adding the corporation would be getting 50 per cent budgetary support from the government.

The project is scheduled to be completed in a period of10 years, Prasad said and added that the Central government had sanctioned Rs. 77.82 crore for preperation of DPR, infrastructure development and reimbursement of expenditure incurred by Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board.