Maharashtra government plans to set up the country's first power Special Economic Zones with an installed capacity of 1,250 MW electricity.
MUMBAI: Maharashtra government plans to set up the country's first power Special Economic Zones (SPZ) with an installed capacity of around 1,250 MW electricity to meet the needs of the large number of industrial units being established in the state.
The state government has given its nod for two coal-based projects at Chandrapur and Raigad, which would be developed in the next five years, a senior goverment official said.
"We have sought approvals from the Centre for a 1,000 MW power plant in Chandrapur and a 250 MW plant in Raigad, which will be given Special Economic Zone status," he said.
The power SEZs are proposed to be set up by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation. Private players may also be involved in these projects, he said, adding the companies who have captive coal mine licenses would be given preference.
Maharashtra, the country's most industrialised state, faces power shortages of about 3,000-4,500 MW in peak days, forcing authorities to go for massive load shedding for as long as 12 hours a day.
The proposed power projects would primarily cater to the new industries that are coming up in the various special economic zones in the state.
Besides, the state has earmarked Rs 58,000 crore over the next five years to put up additional generation capacity and improve transmission and distribution network.
Maharashtra is also in the race with four other states for setting up the country's first renewable energy SEZ, which is likely to be finalised soon.
The project to be set up over 1,000 hectares of land, will infuse an investment of Rs 1000 crore and top global firms have already evinced interest in it.
The SEZ for renewable energy is aimed at manufacturing renewable energy devices and systems.
Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, the nodal agency for the state's ambitious special economic zone programme, expects to boost industrial growth here with around 35 planned SEZs and permission sought for another 20-25 projects.
It has received final approval for 11 SEZs and approval for four is likely to be received soon.
MIDC has 1,40,000 acres of land in its possession and is planning to acquire another 50,000 acres to meet space demands of around total of 50 SEZs, which it expects to be cleared soon.
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