Thursday, April 27 2006 15:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Several US power companies such as GE and Caterpillar have evinced interest in investing in ultra-mega power projects which India plans to build in the coming years.

In his presentation at the Indian Embassy here after completing the Washington DC part of a multi-city Road Show in the United States and Canada, Union Minister for Power Sushil Kumar Shinde said his Ministry is in the process of setting up Seven Ultra Mega Power Projects of 4000 MW each in India.

Two of these projects will be coal pithead based plants and three coastal plants based on imported coal.

The projects will be in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat and Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh and Orissa have also asked to be included, the Minister pointed out.

Shinde pointed out that the Power Finance Corporation is establishing shell companies to set up these projects and obtain all necessary regulatory clearances and fuel linkages.

The Ministry of Power is inviting private investment including from the US in these shell companies, with the process of selection of private investors in these companies to be completed by January 2007.

The Minister met with representatives of the American industry at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington where a large number of power sector companies, including GE, ABB, Caterpillar, AES participated.

These American companies have shown interest in participating in the initiative.

Shinde also met US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman yesterday.