22.8.11

Solapur to get an ultra thermal power plant

The power deficit state of Maharashtra is all set to get an ultra-thermal power plant, with 1,320 MW power generation capacity and with more eco-friendly facilities than the existing thermal power plants. Located 15 km outside the Solapur city, the power plant will have super critical technology, which will help lower emission of carbon dioxide from the plant, said Solapur district collector Jagdish Patil. Patil said, “About 2,000 acres of land has been acquired within four months and the plant is expected to start functioning in three years. There will be two power generation units with 660 MW generation capacity each. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 10,000 crore.” Patil said, “The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is setting up this plant for which global tender is floated for sub-contracts. A verdict of the supreme court is expected in coming days on one of the issues related to the global tender. Once it is done, the erection of power plant will be started.” The NTPC has set up a similar plant in Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, which has started power generation from June, he added. According to industry experts, the super critical technology is currently used in many developed countries and power plants coming in few years would have the same technology, unlike the conventional power generation plants. The heat energy to electricity conversion rate in the conventional power plants is around 37-38%, which is 39% in this super critical technology. In such huge plants, efficiency of one per cent is very important. It is not clear which international company will set up boilers for the plant, but the turbo generators would be provided by a joint venture between Bharat Forge Ltd and Alstom. Alstom is a global power systems manufacturer and service provider and the BFL is India-based multinational company in manufacturing and metal forming.

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