Andhra, Telangana seek green nod for power projects

State-owned power producers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have separately approached the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) seeking clearance for the expansion of power projects in their respective states.
According to the minutes of the meetings of Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of MoEF, the Andhra Pradesh Power Development Company (APPDCL) sought green approval to expand capacity of Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station (SDSTPS) in the Nellore district by adding 1X800 MW.
Similarly, Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL) wants to add another 1X600 MW to its existing 2X600 MW thermal power plant in the Adilabad district.
As for the first unit of the 2X800-MW SDSTPS, consent for operation (CFO) issued by the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) is valid up to March 2017.

The unit II was synchronised in December 2014 and trial operations are in progress. Both the units are based on super critical technology, the minutes said.
"Based on the information and clarifications provided by the project proponent and detailed discussions held on all various issues, the committee recommended the project for environmental clearance subject to stipulation of additional specific conditions," EAC said for the AP project.
In the case of Telangana one, EAC said the environmental clearance (EC) for the existing 2x600 MW came from the Ministry in 2010. The construction is under way and power generation is likely to commence in November 2015.

"Based on the information provided and the presentation made, the committee recommended the following ToR (Terms of Reference), in addition to the standard ToR...," EAC said.