Sasan UMPP to not see light of day during 11th Plan

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has confirmed what was already feared-- the 660 MW first unit of Reliance Power`s 3,960 MW Sasan UMPP, belying the high expectations of its developer, will, in all likelihood, not be commissioned by March 2012.

•  To blame is the Uttar Pradesh government, which is still to give its permission for the Reliance Power-subsidiary, Sasan Power Limited (SPL), to construct the water pipeline for the UMPP, proposed to pass through the catchment of the Rehar reservoir. As a result, the availability of water for the mega venture remains uncertain. 
•  Additionally, NTPC is still to accede to the alternative arrangement proposed by Reliance, which can source the water required for the project from the open discharge channel of the Singrauli power station, as an interim measure. Repeated pleas from the private power company have failed to yield the desired results. 
• Reliance, on its part, is moving full steam ahead with all construction activities, water hurdles notwithstanding. It has already commenced boiler erection, with the boiler hydro test expected to be completed by July 2011. It achieved financial closure for this project in April 2009.