State-run power generator NTPC is awaiting forest department clearance to set up its first wind energy project in the country.

The 100-MW project, with an estimated cost of ₹650 crore is to come up at Guledagudda in Bagalkot district, Karnataka, said R Venkateswaran, Regional Executive Director (South).

A few months ago, the company floated tenders but was not successful, and now it is again making efforts to float tenders once all the clearances are in place.

Talking about its super thermal power project at Kudgi in Karnataka, Venkateswaran said: “We have set a deadline of May 2016 to operationalise its first unit (800 MW). The remaining two units are likely to be commissioned with an interval of six months subsequently.” For the first phase of the Kudgi plant, the company has already tied supply of 13 million tonnes coal a year, and is now awaiting allocation for the second phase (1,600 MW).

Of the ₹15,166-crore investment proposed in the first stage, NTPC has spent ₹5,900 crore till September.

Ongoing projects

Regarding the other ongoing facilities in the southern region, NTPC is working on a 500 MW plant at the Vallur thermal power project in Tamil Nadu, whose commercial operations will begin in December and a 15-MW solar PV project in Ramagundam. In all, the company is planning to add 4,500 MW and the projects are under various stages of implementation. “This apart, the company has also envisaged new projects to generate 10,050 MW, which include 1,000 MW solar PV facilities in Andhra,” said Venkateswaran.

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