NTPC shuts down another 500 MW unit

Following the directive of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has shut down another 500 MW unit of its 3000 MW super thermal power plant at Kaniha.

This is the second 500 MW unit shut down by NTPC after the power generator had closed a 500 MW unit on June 30.

On June 28, the SPCB had directed NTPC to close down four units of 500 MW each of its Stage-II Kaniha plant for inefficient ash management. This apart, NTPC has shut another 500 MW unit for annual maintenance.

Consequently, only three out of the six 500 MW units of NTPC's 3000 MW power complex are currently operating, bringing down the company's power generation to 1500 MW, said an NTPC official.

"The closure of another two units will have a bearing on the national power scenario. We have intimated the southern grid about SPCB's directive", he said.

The southern grid linking to the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh draws about 2000 Mw from the Kaniha plant per day.

Orissa’s share in Stage-I is 318 MW and from stage-II 200 MW, making the state's total share in this station 518 MW.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Mines of the Talcher circle has asked the coal mine authorities to stop coal supply to the Stage-II of NTPC plant at Kaniha in view of the closure notice by SPCB.

The NTPC authorities have submitted an 'Action Plan' to the SPCB authorities for the management of its ash slurry, with a request to revoke the closure notice. However, the SPCB has stuck to its stand of closing down all the four units of the power plant.