Edited by Deepali Verma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his state visit to Odisha, will launch power projects worth Rs 28,978 crore on February 3.
The power projects such as NTPC’s Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station (2×800 MW), NSPCL Rourkela PP-II Expansion Project (1×250 MW) and laying of the foundation stone of NTPC Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage-III (2×660 MW). This makes the total investment of all the power projects to around Rs 28,978 crore.
Recently, NTPC’s regional executive director, (Eastern Region I Patna & II Bhubaneswar), Sudip Nag, while addressing a press conference, spoke on the upcoming projects to be flagged off by the Prime Minister.
Darlipali STPP of NTPC in Sundargarh district is a pit-head power station with supercritical (highly efficient) technology. It is responsible for supplying low-cost power to its beneficiary states, including Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Sikkim.
The establishment of a 250 MW project of NTPC-SAIL Power Company Ltd is done in Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) to provide reliable power for the steel plant which is pivotal for economic growth.
NTPC is additionally developing the Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage-III within old TTPS plant premises in the Angul district of Odisha, taken over by NTPC from the Odisha State Electricity Board in 1995. The decommission of the old TTPS plant came after completing more than 50 years of service to the Nation.
“The upcoming plant features highly efficient Ultra Super Critical Technology based units with approximately three times the capacity of the old TTPS plant. The 50 per cent capacity from this project is dedicated to Odisha while the other beneficiary states including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Assam will also get low-cost power from this pit-head station,” Nag said.
This project comes equipped with all modern environmental features like efficient electrostatic precipitator, flue gas desulphurization, biomass co firing, and covered storage space for coal. This is expected to help in lesser Specific Coal Consumption and CO2 emissions.
Besides the creation of direct and indirect employment opportunities in the region, these projects have also contributed to the improvement of physical infrastructure like approach roads, drainage, transportation and communication facilities. The NTPC has undertaken various community development initiatives in the surrounding villages in the fields of education, drinking water, sanitation, health, women empowerment, rural sports, etc. Additionally, it has set up a medical college and hospital in Sundargarh.
The press conference had the noted presence of Diwakar Kaushik, CEO, NSPCL, Gautam Deb, executive director, Talcher Thermal, Harjit Singh, ED, director, corporate communications, New Delhi, and Veerandra Singh, regional officer, NHAI, among others.
