Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated process for setting up of three ultra-mega power projects (UMPPs) in the state with the collaboration of the Centre.

These projects will be implemented through special purpose vehicle (SPV). Briefing newsmen here after presiding over a high-level review meeting at the State Secretariat here on Friday, chief secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik said that that one of the three UMPPs has been finalized at Bedabahal in Sundargarh district while the rest two are likely to be set up at a coastal area and the other in the interior area of the state.

Each plant will have power generation capacity of 4000 mw, Patnaik added. The state government will provide infrastructure support. All three projects will be implemented through special purpose vehicle with bidding.

The bidder with lowest tariff will be awarded the contract, he added. The chief secretary said that though the the sites of two plants have not yet been decided, one plant is likely to be set up near Dhamra port and another in Balangir.

Sources in the energy department said that since Rs 5 crore is approximately needed for producing one mw of electricity, each ultra-mega power plant having 4,000 mw capacity will require Rs 20,000 crore.

The state will get 50 per cent of power from two projects and 1300 mw from Bedabahal unit. The state will get power at lesser tariff from these projects. These plants will use state-of-the-art technology which is capable of minimising pollution and less use of water.

Each project will require about 2500 acres of land. Detailing the technology advantage, a senior official of the energy department said that the water required for the plant after utilization will be treated and returned to the source. In order to check the fly ash pollution, the chief secretary suggested a management plan for storing and use of fly ash from the proposed plants.

It was revealed at the meeting that for finalization of locations of the two projects, a team of officials and technical experts consisting of representatives from Central Power Authority (CEA), Power Corporation of India Ltd (PCICL), IDCO, IPICOL led by PP Srivastav (project in-charge, PCICL) visited different sites in Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Balangir and Kalahandi districts.

Earlier, a team constituted for the purpose had also visited different places in Balasore, Jagatsingpur, Ganjam and Puri districts.

The chief secretary advised the team to identify locations which will cause least displacement and inconvenience to people.

He also asked them to avoid acquisition of irrigated land, make estimate of land cost, ash pond location away from human habitation.

Among others, principal secretary, revenue and disaster management Taradatt, principal secretary, water resources Suresh Mohapatra, principal secretary in-charge, energy, Ranglal Jamuda, secretary, steel and mines D K Singh and senior officials and Central team members were present at the meeting.