Odisha to divest 49% stake in profit-making PSU
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Odisha to divest 49% stake in profit-making PSU

The Odisha government has started the process to sell its 49% ownership in the profitable PSU Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), which runs the 1,740 MW Banharpalli thermal power plant in the Jharsuguda district.

The action was taken just two years after the Odisha government opted to acquire back its 49% stake in OPGC from US-based AES Corporation Ltd.

The corporation, which purchased a 49% stake in OPGC in 1998, opted to sell its stake for $135 million in August 2020. The thermal power plant is currently 100% owned by the state government. The planned disinvestment in the PSU has been invited by the Odisha energy department, but no justification for the decision has been given. The department has also not made it clear how much money it will make after the disinvestment procedure.

The disinvestment will be carried out in two stages, with SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAP) acting as the transaction adviser.

OPGC, which was founded in November 1984, runs a modern, four-unit coal-fired power station. While two 210 MW units each have been in service for the past 25 years, the second phase of two 660 MW units each was added in 2019. The first two units receive coal through a subsidiary of OPGC from the neighbouring mines of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, a division of Coal India Ltd. The last two units obtain coal from Manoharpur.

OPGC is considering expanding its current capacity through implementation of Phase III by constructing two more units with a capacity of 660 MW each, according to sources in the state energy department.

A number of officials questioned the state government's decision, even though the opposition parties have not yet responded to the Odisha government's decision to sell its stock in a PSU that is producing money.

The Odisha government has started the process to sell its 49% ownership in the profitable PSU Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), which runs the 1,740 MW Banharpalli thermal power plant in the Jharsuguda district. The action was taken just two years after the Odisha government opted to acquire back its 49% stake in OPGC from US-based AES Corporation Ltd. The corporation, which purchased a 49% stake in OPGC in 1998, opted to sell its stake for $135 million in August 2020. The thermal power plant is currently 100% owned by the state government. The planned disinvestment in the PSU has been invited by the Odisha energy department, but no justification for the decision has been given. The department has also not made it clear how much money it will make after the disinvestment procedure. The disinvestment will be carried out in two stages, with SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAP) acting as the transaction adviser. OPGC, which was founded in November 1984, runs a modern, four-unit coal-fired power station. While two 210 MW units each have been in service for the past 25 years, the second phase of two 660 MW units each was added in 2019. The first two units receive coal through a subsidiary of OPGC from the neighbouring mines of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, a division of Coal India Ltd. The last two units obtain coal from Manoharpur. OPGC is considering expanding its current capacity through implementation of Phase III by constructing two more units with a capacity of 660 MW each, according to sources in the state energy department. A number of officials questioned the state government's decision, even though the opposition parties have not yet responded to the Odisha government's decision to sell its stock in a PSU that is producing money.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Unified railway app for tickets and tracking launching in December

The Indian Railways is expected to launch a super app consolidating passenger services by the end of December, according to officials familiar with the project. The app, which is being developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), will integrate with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), these officials stated. IRCTC would continue to serve as the interface between CRIS and passengers purchasing train tickets, and that integration between the super app and IRCTC is currently underway. The app will provide a wide range of services, including booking p..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

TN drives distributed growth vision with multiple new projects

Tamil Nadu is advancing on its plan to achieve comprehensive growth, launching numerous projects across business sectors with a focus on tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Soon after taking office in May 2021, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin emphasised his government’s commitment to developing both metro and smaller cities to drive industrial growth across the state. The industries department highlighted its focus on creating high-quality, well-paying jobs across Tamil Nadu by establishing various manufacturing facilities, including automobile plants, mini TIDEL Parks, and State Industries Promotion Corp..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

India's power consumption slightly up to 140.4 billion units in October

India's power consumption experienced a slight increase of about one per cent, reaching 140.47 billion units (BU) in October, compared to the same period last year. This growth was primarily attributed to a high base effect. In October of the previous year, power consumption had surged by over 22 per cent to 139.44 BU from 113.94 BU in October 2022. The maximum daily supply, or peak power demand met, decreased to 219.22 GW in October 2024 from 221.53 GW in October 2023. May 2024 saw peak power demand reach an all-time high of nearly 250 GW, surpassing the previous record of 243.27 GW set in S..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000