PM to dedicate NTPC's Sipat thermal power plant to the nation tomorrow

The Prime Minister, Dr, Manmohan Singh, will dedicate the state-run NTPC's Sipat thermal power project in Chhattisgarh to the nation on Thursday.

The 2,980 MW coal-based Sipat thermal power plant has three units of 660 MW and two units of 500 MW, which are already operational.

As part of NTPC's Western Region II, NTPC Sipat will ensure power supply to the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Daman and Diu as also Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Minister of State for Power Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh along with other dignitaries from the state will grace the occasion.

Super critical Sipat power station has three 660 MW environment friendly units having higher operating efficiency. For the first time in the country, this thermal power project will have large 765 KV switchyard for power evacuation.

NTPC will source the coal from Korba's Dipka extension mines of SECL for the project at Sipat. The fuel is transported through NTPC's own rail transportation system. The water for the plant is sourced through a 16-km pipeline from the banks of the Hasdeo barrage canal, from Hardivishal village in the district.

NTPC-Sipat project has been set up in nascent vegetation. With a view to conserve the environment, the project has 275 meter high chimneys and higher efficiency static precipitators (ESPs). A 50-meter Green Belt is being developed around the projects. Saplings have already been planted in nearby villages, on both sides of state highway, and on the approach roads.

In addition to this, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of 1600 MW Stage-I of NTPC- Lara Super Thermal Power Project situated in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district. This will be done with the help of remote.

The project shall have two units of 800 MW in stage I with an ultimate installed capacity of 4000MW. The estimated cost of this 1600 MW stage I of the project is around Rs. 11,741 crore

As per the MoU signed between Chhattisgarh Government and the NTPC on July 12, 2009, Chhattisgarh will be getting 50 per cent of the generated power and the remaining 50 per cent will be shared by other states- Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Daman and Diu as also Dadar and Nagar Haveli.

Part of NTPC's Western Region-II Lara Project paves the way for achieving self-sufficiency in the region. Presently, the installed capacity of the region is 9840 MW with three operating stations at Vindhyachal(4260MW), Korba (2600MW) and Sipat (2980 MW). Further four new projects with total capacity of 7160 MW at Lara, Barethi, Khargone and Gadarwara located in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are under different stages of project execution.

The coal requirement for the project will be from Talaipalli coal blocks allotted to the NTPC. For Stage -I, the coal requirement is put at seven MTPA at 90 per cent PLF. For water requirements, the Chhattisgarh Government has given commitment for water supply from Saradih barrage on Mahanadi river for Stage-I requirement and 68 MCM for Stage-II requirements.

For the development of these projects, NTPC is using environment friendly measures like planting vegetation in the area, using ash bricks, reuse water, prevent dust through designing the ash ponds in a specific manner etc.

Several community development and CSR measures have also been taken up like setting up of primary health centres, community centres, facilities for differently-abled people, women's welfare, supplying study material to students among others. These projects are also meant to create employment opportunities for the local people.