IFC, the private sector arm of World Bank group, has signed an agreement to subscribe to an equity stake of 5.84 per cent amounting to US$ 8 million in LANCO Amarkantak Power Pvt Ltd (LAPPL). LAPPL, a special purpose vehicle promoted by LANCO Group, is developing a thermal power station in Chhattisgarh comprising two coal-based units of 300 MW each. The total project, estimated to cost around Rs 2,600 crore, is scheduled for completion in 2008. DEG, the private sector arm of KFW, Germany has already committed to having a 9 per cent stake in LAPPL and with LANCO Infratech Ltd holding 75.16 per cent, the balance equity would be held by other minority shareholders.
Reacting to the development LANCO Group Chairman L Madhusudhan Rao said, “This is the first project of LANCO Group with IFC and DEG as equity partners. This is a clear demonstration of the confidence of multilateral financing agencies in LANCO’s projects. This would definitely pave the way for more such partnerships in other projects of LANCO.”
LANCO Group is one of the fastest growing corporate entities in India. LANCO has more than two decades of experience operating in the core sectors of Power Generation, Power Trading, Realty, Engineering and Construction, Information Technology and Manufacturing. At present, the power portfolio includes an operating capacity of 518 MW and additional capacities under construction aggregating to more than 3,200 MW. The Construction and EPC division of the company is executing various orders worth more than Rs 5000 crore.