NTPC's Pudimadaka project set for delay

Visakhapatnam: NTPC’s much talked super critical thermal power plant planned at Pudimadaka in Vizag will be delayed as the Union Power ministry had decided to use domestic coal instead of importing the raw material for which a fresh Feasibility Study has just begun. As per the initial plan the plant should be commissioned by 2019. It will take at least six to nine months for the feasibility study to be completed.

The change in the coal linkage comes after the MoEF, had recently returned proposals submitted by NTPC for Environmental Clearance (EC) to take up the construction of the power plant. MoEF had sought more details about the import of coal. With the change in the coal linkage NTPC also needs another 1,000 acres of land to build an ash dyke. Accordingly the designs of the plant also needed to be changed. There is no need for an ash dyke if its imported coal which contains low ash. NTPC had now sought the state government to allot the additional land. The capacity of the plant is also likely to be downsized to 3,200 mw instead of 4,000mw.

“During a meeting held with the Union Power minister Piyush Goyal in the presence of the state government officials while reviewing the power plant projects, the coal linkage for the Pudimadaka had come up. To save the foreign exchange and other issues he asked us to use domestic coal which is available. Now we have to see which mines will be allotted for us and transportation etc. Fresh feasibility study need to be taken up which had begun. The plant designs are also to be changed accordingly,” said a senior official of the NTPC.

While the Terms of Reference (ToR), for the project has been granted by MoEF on February 25, last year environmental public hearing, was held on Aug 12 where locals were divided over the project. NTPC on Nov 23, submitted its proposals to MoEF seeking EC. On November 26, the MoEF expert appraisal committee, which reviewed the NTPC's proposals had returned them. MoEF had sought more details about the public hearing held on August 12 and also the details about the import of raw material-coal. MoEF specifically asked for the MoU on the coal supply.

“In the recent meeting held at Vijayawada with Union minister for energy, it is decided to proceed with domestic coal. Hence, it will become 4X800 MW plant. Now, another 1000 acres have to be acquired for ash dyke and we will proceed further upon the requisition given by the NTPC,” said an official.