PM approves Rs 300 cr special grant for IGCC Vijaywada plant

HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has approved a special grant of Rs 300 crore for the nation's first Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant with 182 MW capacity being set up at Vijaywada

"The clean coal technology can significantly reduce green house gases in thermal power plants. Considering its uniqueness Prime Minister has approved Rs 300 crore for the project," Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh said here today.

The Rs 950-crore project is scheduled to be commissioned by October 2011, the minister said, adding, foundation has been laid for the plant, which is a joint venture between Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGenco).

Ramesh said the proposed merchant power plant at Jaipur mandal in Adilabad district by Singareni Collieries will get the Union Cabinet's approval by the end of this month.

The land has been acquired for the project and the related activities were likely to commence by January next, he added.