9 power projects to get ‘green’ light

A clutch of large power projects, with a total generation capacity of 39,567 mw, is expected to receive final environmental clearance this month. The environmental appraisal committee for thermal power projects, attached to the ministry of environment & forests, will take up the nine proposals at its meeting this week.

Each of the projects will add at least 1,000 mw to the national grid. The list includes the 4,000-mw Mundra ultra mega power project, a 3,330-mw Adani group project in Gujarat, besides a 2,000-mw ISN International pithead project in Madhya Pradesh.

The committee's approval will enable the promoters to go for financial closure. Environmental approval is one of the major clearances that financial institutions require for the release of project finance.

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Supreme Court rejects Reliance Natural Resources plea on hearing

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to take up a gas dispute between RIL and RNRL for final hearing on Sep 1, rejecting the latter's plea for expeditious hearings.The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to take up a gas dispute between Reliance Industries (RIL) and Reliance Natural Resources (RNRL) for final hearing on September 1, rejecting the plea of Anil Ambani Group company for expeditious proceedings. RNRL on Wednesday had served notices to the oil ministry and RIL in this regard and argued that the gas supply dispute between RIL and RNRL concerns power projects of national importance, representing a capacity of 12,000 mw power and an investment of over Rs 50,000 crore.

A bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan said it would decide on the date of final hearing on September 1, when it would consider various petitions related to the dispute. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear cross-appeals by both Ambani group firms on September 1, as also a petition by the Petroleum Ministry against a Bombay High Court order that asked RIL to supply gas to RNRL at $2.34 per million British thermal unit (mmBtu) against the officially prescribed $4.2 per mmbtu.

The RNRL prayer came up for mentioning and the company's counsel Mukul Rohtagi requested that final hearing be taken up on September 1, as the entire Bombay High Court record was before the apex court and nothing was left to be filed.

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High Court asks Ambanis to frame new gas pact

The Bombay High Court on Monday ordered Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Ltd, India’s largest company, to sell natural gas to brother Anil Ambani’s Reliance Natural Resources Ltd at a price that is 44% lower than the price proposed by the government earlier.

The order could significantly impact the contours of the natural gas economy in the country. RIL has been asked to supply natural gas to RNRL for 17 years at $2.34 per million British thermal units. RNRL, however, cannot trade the gas but can use it as raw material in its power projects. Natural gas accounts for about 18% of the total energy-mix of the Indian economy.

An RIL spokesperson said: “The full text of the judgment of the honourable High Court has been received by us and is being reviewed by us.

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