Saturday, May 28 2005 11:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhubaneswar: Reliance Energy Ltd (REL) has evinced interest in establishment of a mega 12,000 MW thermal power project in Orissa, the State's Energy Minister Surya Narayan Patra said yesterday (May 27, 2005).

A Reliance delegation submitted the proposal to the Government yesterday, which if taken up, would require investment to the tune of around Rs 48,000 crore, he said.

"The Government will examine this proposal," the Minister said adding the company had made a presentation about the project before him.

The company proposed to set up a 4,000 MW coal-fired project in the first phase within a timeframe of five years to be located at Hirma in Jharsuguda district of Western Orissa, a region, which has large deposits of thermal grade coal.

The power generated, after meeting the State's need, was proposed to be sold to several States including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, the Minister said adding further negotiations would be held with the company.

Satish Seth, senior vice-president of REL, who led the company's delegation, refused to comment saying it was "premature" to say anything now.