Salboni: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, today, 21 April, laid the foundation of a 1600 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant at Salboni in Paschim Medinipur district.
The plant comprises two units of 800 MW each. These are being built by JSW Energy (from the Jindal group) at an investment of Rs 16,000 crore.
The first 800 MW unit will be commissioned in 42 months. The second one will be commissioned in 48 months.
An industrial park will be developed in the vicinity of the power plant.
The CM also laid the foundation of this park today. The two projects will generate employment for 15,000 of the local populace, making it one of the largest in Eastern India.
While the power project marks JSW Energy’s first first into Eastern India, it is incidentally the largest greenfield investment by the company and has tremendous strategic significance.
The project is being executed at a capital cost of Rs 10 crore per MW, making it one of the most cost-efficient power projects in the country.
All 23 districts of West Bengal will benefit as the state will purchase power from JSW Energy.
The JSW Group already has a cement grinding unit at the same location, Salboni.
The company now plans a 900-1000 MW pumped storage project in Purulia in West Bengal. This is part of its 40 GWH storage capacity roadmap, combining pumped storage hydro and battery-based solutions.
