MACHILIPATNAM | January 12, 2016: Australia-based independent mining and coal exploration company, Queensland Coal Exploration Proprietary Limited (QCEPL), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State government to set up a 5800 MW coal-based power project in Krishna district, reportedly in the proposed Machilipatnam industrial corridor.

According to sources, the pact was signed on Sunday at the Partnership Summit-2016 being held in Visakhapatnam. The QCEPL has completed site inspection in January 2015 and is now holding talks with the government departments concerned. “The talks between QCEPL and Navayuga Construction Company are at a crucial stage to use the Machilipatnam port for importing coal needed for the proposed thermal power plant,” sources told The Hindu, quoting the QCEPL representative Gowtham Sarma.

The QCEPL, which plans to spare at least eight coal mines in Australia for production of 5,800 MW of thermal power here, has reportedly proposed to set up the power plant in 3,000 acres along the coastline. Pinning hopes on the possibilities for increase in the traffic at Machilipatnam deep sea water port in future, a senior official associated with the Machilipatnam port project said that the port authorities had expressed their willingness to provide the necessary facilities such as special conveyor belt to the QCEPL thermal power plant.

Australia-based Queensland Coal Exploration Proprietary Limited has signed MoU with the government
Location of the power plant will be finalised after Machilipatnam Area Development Authority is formed

(Source: http://www.thehindu.com/)