Bhubaneswar/Jharsuguda, November 10, 2010:
Sterlite Energy Limited, the Energy arm of Vedanta Resources Plc becomes the first Private Sector Power Plant in India to get approval for ‘Commercial Operation Date’ from Gridco Limited, a Government of Orissa Undertaking. SEL obtained the approval for Commercial Operation Date (COD) on November 09, 2010, after meeting all the prescribed terms and condition, which was scrutinized by Gridco officials during their visit to the Independent Power Plant (IPP) at Jharsuguda.

After the Commercial Operation Date, Sterlite Energy Limited will supply power to state grid at a regulated price, as agreed by ‘Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission’. The first unit of its 2400 MW power plant was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Orissa, Naveen Pattnaik in August 2010. The first unit of 600 MW Capacities is currently producing 625 MW of power, which is being supplied to state grid. The second unit of another 600 MW IPP is expected to be operational from December 2010 while Orissa will get full capacity from the 600X4 MW power from August 2011.

“Power is a thrust area for industry and overall infrastructure development of India. Vedanta through its energy arm, SEL decided to shape India’s infrastructure by developing independent power plant at Jharsuguda”, said Mr. Pramod Suri, Chief Executive Officer, SEL. He thanked the state government and Gridco officials for their support. “SEL achieved this in a shortest possible time and it will further strengthen our effort to make Orissa power sufficient,” he added. He also expressed his gratitude to the Union Ministry of Power and Ministry of Coal for extending support to the project.

This 2400 MW Independent Power Plant along with 1215 MW CPP will make this complex the largest single power location in the country. The IPP, first of its kind in Orissa, became the first private sector power project in the state which was completed in a record time.

It also employs latest environment friendly technology. A hybrid ESP with fabric filter is being deployed for the first time in an Indian Power Plant to achieve lowest emission standards. The IPP has dual LP flow steam turbine and four 150 meter high natural draft cooling towers, among the largest in the country. The IPP has also employed many environment friendly features, including, among others, high contracted slurry disposal (HCSD) with very low consumption of water as compared to wet slurry system. Coal, the raw material for the IPP will be sourced from IB Valley coalfield.

About the Company:-
Sterlite Energy Limited (SEL) is a part of Vedanta Resources plc , a London listed FTSE 100 diversified metals and mining major with Aluminium, Copper, Zinc and Iron ore operations in India, Australia and Zambia, and a subsidiary of Vedanta group flagship company, Sterlite Industries (India) Limited. SEL was established to develop, construct and operate power plants and seeks to become one of India’s leading commercial power generation companies.

SEL is well positioned to capitalize on India’s economic growth, power deficit and large coal reserves to develop a commercial power generation business. It shall benefit from Vedanta group’s experienced and focused management with strong project execution skills, experience in building and operating captive power plants, substantial experience in mining activities and the capacity to finance world-class projects. SEL is in the process of setting up a 2,400MW independent power plant at Jharsuguda, Orissa and 1,980 MW independent power plant at Talwandi, Punjab.


For Further Query Please Contact
Mr. Bibek Chattopadhyaya
Email: bibek.c@vedanta.co.in
Tel: +91 99371 47222