NHPC’s chairman and managing director, S K Garg said that Nepal was also on the radar, but only after the political situation stabilises there.
“We are offering NHPC’s expertise in countries such as Bhutan, Myanmar and Tajikistan. There is great potential in Myanmar and the Government there is very keen that we (NHPC) start work. Two projects are being looked at, entailing cumulative investments of around Rs 25,000 crore. We are already working in Bhutan and investments envisaged in three projects are around Rs 18,000 crore,” Garg said.
He said that modalities of funding these overseas projects are still being worked out, including the financing exposure that the Government of India would take in each of these hydro stations. The expected investment of Rs 25,000 crore for the Myanmar projects also includes investments envisaged for setting up the transmission link to evacuate power from these projects to Northern India, the final consumption point.
Garg also said that the company plans to continue expanding its international operations and further exploit the hydropower potential available internationally by leveraging its existing relationships developed through past consultancy assignments.
Garg has been signed an MoU with the Government in Myanmar to study the master plan for hydro power development of Chindwin River Basin and for reviewing the DPR (detailed project reports) of the 1,200-MW Tamanthi hydroelectric project and the 642-MW Shwezaye hydroelectric project.
The hydropower firm has also submitted a DPR to the Government of Bhutan for the proposed 720-MW Mangdecchu Hydropower Project. Preparation of DPRs of other two projects — Chamkarchhu-I and Kuri-Gongri H.E projects totalling 2470-MW — is at the preliminary stage.
An agreement has also been signed by NHPC and BHEL for renovation, modernisation and uprating of Varzob Hydro Power Plant-I (2×3.67 MW) in Tajikistan, he added.
