ANGUL: The State Government’s Ministerial Clearance Committee is yet to approve the much awaited `7000 crore expansion plan of NTPC-run Talcher Thermal Power Station (TTPS).Though recently, the high-level committee okayed several investment proposals in the State, the NTPC plan was not enlisted for discussion leaving the project in jeopardy. Sources said the 460 MW TTPS is going to be phased out in 2021 and NTPC plans to replace it with installing two 660 MW units.
As per the power purchase agreement, Odisha will get 50 per cent power while the remaining power will be shared among Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Sikkim. Meanwhile, NTPC has completed public hearing for the environment clearance of the project and it is under the consideration of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF). Group general manager of TTPS MK Singh said the contract bid has been opened and four bidders had participated in the tender. While technical evaluation has been completed, the opening of the financial bid is just round the corner. The new plant will be commissioned in a fixed 36-month time from the date of work order, he informed.
Singh said while coal for one unit will be sourced from MCL, another unit will depend on the current linkage for existing plant. NTPC is looking for the clearance from the high powered committee to facilitate the contract award to lowest bidder as early as possible, he added.