Prospects of speedy execution of NTPC’s 2x800 MW Darlipali super thermal power plant (STPP) project has brightened with the handing over of around 70 per cent of the required land for the purpose.
The state-run power major has got physical possession of about 1,115 acre of private land for the main plant site at Darlipali village of Sundargarh district on Monday while it had earlier acquired 90.33 acre of private land in nearby Raidihi village.
The company has, however, stated that the project work can only take off after the entire required land of around 1,700 acre is in hand. “The balance private land of 69.11 acre in Darlipali, 338 acre of Government land and diversion of 34.47 acre of forest land is essential before the project goes off-ground,” Regional Executive Director MS Soin told mediapersons here on Tuesday.
The Rs 12,850 crore project has been offered coal linkage of 7 mtpa from Dulunga and 12.5 mtpa from Pakri-Barwadih coal blocks that have been allotted to NTPC.
Construction work will commence as soon as all the land is available and an be commissioned within four years, Soin said.
The proposed 1,600 MW STTP at Gajamara in Dhenakanal district is threatened to be delayed due to slow progress in land acquisition. The Government is yet to issue notification for acquisition of 796 acre private land for the main plant and township.
The Stage III expansion of the Talcher Thermal Power Station (TTPS), raising the 500 MW capacity to 1,820 MW with establishment of two new units of 660 MW each, also hinges on the availability on coal linkage. “We have received all other statutary clearances and are awaiting the coal linkages. Once it is obtained, work will com mence immediately. The expansion would entail an investment to the tune of Rs 9,000 to Rs 10,000 crore,” Soin said. The regional ED also conceded that coal shortage has been affecting NTPC’s existing power generation capacities in the State. The 3,000 MW Talcher Super Thermal Power Station at Kaniha has suffered a generation loss of as high as 1,583 million units till February 2013 on account of coal shortage.
“Only 87 per cent of the required coal has been made available. In the current month too the supply is not encouraging and thus the unit are not functioning at full load,” he said.