ALAPPUZHA: The National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Plant at Kayamkulam, with an installed capacity of 359 MW,
is in the process of switching over to natural gas. The unit intends to commission re-gasified LNG (RLNG) or natural gas firing in gas turbines for its Stage I. The construction of the facilities for gas firing, which will enable it to use multifuel (R-LNG or naphtha) apart from existing fuel Naphtha, is under way.
The gas turbine at NTPC Kayamkulam is GE Frame 9E Model, which is capable of firing liquid as well as gaseous fuel with minor modifications.
However, the facilities and pipeline inside the station for receiving and conditioning the gas are being installed.
“The contract for engineering, supply, erection, commissioning and testing of RLNG/natural gas firing system at the unit has been given to the original equipment manufacturers and the materials are expected to reach the site soon. This will be followed by the commencement erection of equipment,” said NTPC officials.
The work on the civil foundation for 1.2-km pipeline inside the station has already been completed. The condition for gas firing in both gas turbines is expected to be ready by this year end, the officials said.
The NTPC has also invited expression of interest from the parties for the supply of 1.75 mmscmd of R-LNG for a long term (10-12 years) on build-own-operate (BOO) basis. The scope of the work includes construction, owning and operating of the supply and transportation system of R-LNG under lease, and operating contract for providing R-LNG at terminal point (pipeline flange) of the NTPC Kayamkulam station.
The gas turbines were commissioned by BHEL in 1999 with naphtha as base fuel. High speed diesel is being used as the change over fuel.
Earlier, it was proposed to augment the capacity of NTPC Kayamkulam by adding 1,050 MW using LNG as combustion fuel under Stage II, and the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has laid the foundation stone for the second stage in 2005.
But the plan was changed after the opening of the LNG terminal at Kochi.
The unit cost of electricity with naphtha as fuel comes to around Rs 12.82 and with the conversion, the cost may decrease to `8.9, said the company officials.