THDC India Ltd is targeting to commence operations of its coal-based power plant by September 2024, marking its foray into the domestic thermal energy sector, according to a senior company official.
The company is constructing a 1,320 Megawatt (2X660 MW) Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, as part of its plans to establish coal-based capacities.
Currently, THDC, headquartered in Uttarakhand, has an installed power generation capacity of approximately 1,587 MW, comprising 1,424 MW hydro, 113 MW wind, and 50 MW solar.
Regarding the timeline, the official stated, “Construction is progressing rapidly. We anticipate the first unit of 660 MW to be operational by September this year and the second unit by March 2025. The project entails an investment of around Rs 12,000 crore.”
By January 2024, Rs 9,428.30 crore has been expended on the Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant (KSTPP), with about 85 percent of the work completed, the official disclosed.
The company is also implementing an environmentally friendly carbon capture technique at the Khurja STPP to capture CO2 emissions.
The official further revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project on March 9, 2019. The project covers an area of 1,200.843 acres and is an integrated coal-based thermal power plant linked to the operational Amelia coal mine in Singrauli district, Madhya Pradesh.
Upon completion, the plant is expected to generate 9,264 million units (MUs) of power annually, corresponding to an 85 percent plant load factor (PLF).
As per the power allocation by the Ministry of Power, 64.7 percent of the power generated (854 MW) will be supplied to Uttar Pradesh, with the remaining portion allocated to other beneficiaries.
Regarding the project’s progress, the official mentioned, “Recently, a significant milestone was achieved with the commencement of engine rolling on the railway siding from Danwar station to the plant yard. This will facilitate the transportation of coal rakes from Amelia coal mines to Khurja STPP through Danwar station.”
Additionally, various other project-related milestones, such as boiler light up of Unit 1 and aux boiler light up, have been achieved as per schedule.
