The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, FEB 1, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to inaugurate two significant power projects by the energy giant NTPC Ltd. and lay the foundation stone for another, totalling a massive investment of Rs 28,978 crore during his visit to Odisha this Saturday.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to dedicate to the nation NTPC’s Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station (2×800 MW) and NSPCL Rourkela PP-II Expansion Project (1×250 MW), and lay the foundation for NTPC’s Talcher Thermal Power Project (TTPS), Stage-III (2×660 MW) during his Odisha visit, informed NTPC Regional Executive Director (Eastern Region I & II), Sudip Nag, during a press conference held here on Thursday.
Addressing the media, Nag emphasized the significance of these projects, underlining the pivotal role of the Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station in providing cost-effective power to beneficiary states like Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Sikkim. Nestled in Sundargarh district, this power station employs supercritical technology, ensuring optimal efficiency.
Furthermore, Nag stressed the importance of the NSPCL Rourkela PP-II Expansion Project (1×250 MW), which plays a crucial role in supplying reliable power to the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), thereby fostering economic growth.
Additionally, he shed light on the development of the Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage-III, within the premises of the old TTPS plant in Angul district. This project, acquired by NTPC from the Odisha State Electricity Board in 1995, will operate with highly efficient ultra-supercritical technology-based units, boasting three times the capacity of the old TTPS plant.
While 50 percent of this project’s capacity is dedicated to Odisha, other beneficiary states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Assam will also benefit from the low-cost power generated by this pit-head station.
Nag highlighted the environmental sustainability of these projects, detailing the integration of modern features like efficient electrostatic precipitators, flue gas desulphurization, biomass cofiring, and covered coal storage space. These measures aim to reduce specific coal consumption and CO2 emissions.
Furthermore, aside from creating direct and indirect employment opportunities, these projects have significantly contributed to the enhancement of physical infrastructure in the region, including approach roads, drainage systems, and transportation facilities.
NTPC’s unwavering commitment to community development was also underscored, with various initiatives in neighbouring villages focusing on education, drinking water supply, sanitation, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and rural sports. Additionally, NTPC has established a medical college-cum-hospital in Sundargarh, further solidifying its dedication to the region’s holistic development.
The press conference was attended by several dignitaries, including NSPCL CEO Diwakar Kaushik, Talcher Thermal Power Station Executive Director Gautam Deb, Harjit Singh, Executive Director, Corporate Communications, New Delhi Shri Ashok Kumar Sehgal, Business Unit Head, Talcher Kaniha, Shri Harsha Nath Chakraborty, Business Unit Head, Darlipali, Shri Rajnish Rastogi, CGM (HR), ER-II HQ, Shri Tridib Dev, GM(OS), NSPCL and Shri Veerandra Singh, Regional Officer, NHAI.
