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Damodar Valley Corp. to add 2,780 mw by 2012
The unpleasant experience with the gas-based power plants and the vulnerability of depending on imported fuels has led many companies to have a relook at their power projects. Hydro and coal-based thermal plants are again back in the reckoning. Coal-based power plants are not only more cost competitive but they also have an assured fuel source from within the country.
Nandkumar Pudhari looks at the future plans of Damodar Valley Corporation. DVC has firmed up plans to add 2,780 mw by 2012 involving a total capital outlay upwards of Rs 17,000 crore.
The Damodar Valley Corporation has drawn up ambitious plans to invest Rs 16,677 crore in power generation, distribution and transmission. The corporation intends to add a capacity of 2,780 mw by the end of the 11th Plan besides strengthening its transmission and distribution network.
During the 10th Plan (2002-07), DVC plans to add 960 mw capacity at a cost of Rs 5,976 crore while the balance 1,820 mw capacity costing Rs 10,701 crore is to be implemented during the 11th Plan. The balance investment will be to strengthen the transmission and distribution network besides revamping the existing thermal power stations. Except for a 320 mw hydel power capacity, the balance 1,500 mw would be through coal-based thermal power projects.
A 210 mw unit (4th unit) is to be established at the Mejia TPS at Durlavpur in Bankura district of West Bengal. Implementation of the Rs 535 crore scheme is expected to begin in 2002-03 with completion scheduled for 2003-04. In May 2001, tenders were invited for undertaking the topographical survey work.
Another 250 mw unit (5th unit) is to be added to Mejia TPS at a cost of Rs 1,438 crore. Work on this unit would begin during 2005-06 and completed in 2007-08.
The Chandrapura TPS stage II project near Bokaro in Jharkhand envisages a capacity of 2x250 mw at a cost of Rs 2,876 crore. The first 250 mw unit will be taken up for implementation in 2003-04 and completed in 2005-06. Work on the second 250 mw unit will commence in 2008-09 with commissioning targeted for 2010-11.
A 250 mw unit is proposed to be added to Durgapur TPS in West Bengal as well as Bokaro TPS in Jharkhand. Each unit is likely to entail an investment of Rs 1,438 crore. Work on these units would commence in 2004-05 and completed in 2006-07.
The Balpahari project, involving the construction of the Balpahari dam on River Barakar, will immensely benefit the Santhal Parganas and Dhanbad districts. The project will have an irrigation potential of 42,000 acres besides industrial water supply and flood control potential. The hydel power project envisages a 20 mw power project in the first phase at a cost of Rs 440 crore. In the second phase, four pumped turbine sets of 80 mw each are to be installed at an investment of Rs 3,200 crore. The preliminary project report on the construction of Balpahari dam is now being reviewed and approval from the beneficiary states awaited.
The corporation has also drawn up massive investment plans with a view to strengthen the power transmission and distribution in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. The transmission network lines to be improved include setting up 220 KV double circuit lines aggregating a length of (2,484 ckm) and 132 KV single circuit lines of 286 ckm length, besides renovating the existing 132 KV lines of 210 ckm length. Sub-stations are proposed at several locations to facilitate the electricity distribution business.
DVC is presently in the process of revamping its existing coal-based thermal power stations by undertaking renovation and modernisation (R&M) and life extension programmes (LEP). This has been taken up with a view to improve performance and efficiency of the olds units, reduce pollution to acceptable standards as well as augment electricity generation. The R&M and LEPs are expected to continue during the 10th and 11th Plan periods. Plans have been finalised for refurbishing the units I, II and III at Bokaro TPS 'A", units II, and III at Chandrapura TPS and unit III at Durgapur TPS.
(16/9/01)
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