The Hindu Business Line : KSEB plans capital investment of Rs 1,370 cr in 2009-10

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has projected a total capital investment of around Rs 1,370 crore, covering generation, transmission and distribution sectors, in 2009-10.

In its application to the State Electricity Regulatory Commission for approval of Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) and Expected Revenue from Charges (ERC) estimates for the year, the board has put the capital outlay for the generation sector at Rs 403.33 crore.

The outlay is for five ongoing projects, 16 new schemes and seven wind and non-conventional energy projects. Besides, provisions have also been made for additional capitalisation of 11 completed hydro-electric projects and two thermal projects and renovation and modernisation works of five existing hydro-electric stations.

The ongoing hydel projects for which capital investments have been planned include Kuttiyadi Extension (50 megawatts), Kuttiyadi Additional Extension (100 MW) and Pallivasal Extension (60 MW). The total outlay for the ongoing projects is Rs 74.26 crore.

The tendered projects have been provided a total of Rs 64.60 crore and these include Thottiar (40 MW), Sengulam Augmentation (85 million units), Ramakkalmedu wind farm (5 MW) and Athirappilly (163 MW).

On Athirappilly, the board has pointed out that the hydel project received the environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and techno-economic clearance from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in 2005.

Accordingly, a letter of acceptance was issued to the lowest bidder, HCC-BHEL consortium. But the consortium demanded escalation of price due to five years time lag since the offer was made.

The project received fresh environmental clearance in 2007. Though the board and the Government decided to go in for retender for awarding the work, the earlier bidder, HCC-BHEL consortium, filed a case against retender and the hearing in the case is going on.

The capital outlay for the generation sector also provides Rs 29.30 crore for renovation and modernisation, Rs 20 crore for the proposed Baitharani coal project in Orissa and Rs 26 crore for rebuilding of the Sabarigiri hydel project.

The transmission sector is projected to require a total investment of Rs 366.73 crore. The works proposed to be taken up include installation of 220 KV sub-stations and connected lines (Rs 88.50 crore), 110 KV sub-stations and connected lines (Rs 150 crore), 66 KV sub-stations (Rs 60 crore) and 33 KV sub-stations (Rs 35 crore).

The distribution sector has been earmarked a total of Rs 600 crore. These apart, the board plans to invest Rs 83 crore for facilitating IT-enabled services and Rs 3.90 crore for institutional development programmes.

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