UP government derails Sasan UMPP-I: Jealousy at work?

• It seems that Uttar Pradesh government is peeved about being overlooked by the power ministry, which has not deemed the state suitable for the installation of any of the prestigious ultra mega power projects (UMPP). The apparently vindictive state government has still not accorded permission for the Reliance Power-subsidiary, Sasan Power Limited (SPL), to construct the much-needed water pipeline, proposed to pass through the catchment of the Rehar reservoir, for the 3,960 MW Sasan UMPP, located in Madhya Pradesh. Thus, the availability of water for the mega venture remains uncertain. 
• As a result, the developer has been forced to revise the commissioning schedule for the project, which being executed in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh. The first 660 MW unit, which was scheduled to be commissioned in December 2011, is now expected to be operational only in January 2013, followed by the commissioning of the second and the third unit in April 2013 and September 2013, against respective schedules of March 2012 and June 2012.
• Similarly, the three remaining units are now expected to go on stream at successive intervals of three months until June 2014, while, as per the previous timetable, the entire project was slated to start producing power by March 2013.
• Adding to Reliance`s cup of woes, NTPC is also still to accede to supply 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, which achieved financial closure for this project back in April 2009, have failed to yield the desired results. 
• Reliance, on its part, is, however, 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.