Bela power station

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Bela power station is an operating power station of at least 270-megawatts (MW) in Bela, Umrur, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India with multiple units, some of which are not currently operating.

Location

Table 1: Project-level location details

Plant name Location Coordinates (WGS 84)
Bela power station Bela, Umrur, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India 20.80915, 79.054892 (exact)

The map below shows the exact location of the power station.

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Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):

  • Phase I, Phase II: 20.80915, 79.054892

Project Details

Table 2: Unit-level details

Unit name Status Fuel(s) Capacity (MW) Technology Start year Retired year
Phase I operating coal - unknown 270 subcritical 2013
Phase II cancelled coal - unknown 270 unknown

Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details

Unit name Owner
Phase I Tata Power Co Ltd (TPCL) [100.0%]
Phase II Tata Power Co Ltd (TPCL) [100.0%]

Project-level coal details

  • Coal source(s): domestic and imported
  • Permit(s): Terms of Reference: 2011-01-13

Financing

Source of financing: unit 1: US$150,739,423 in debt from Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Corporation Bank, Andhra Bank, Union Bank and Punjab National Bank; US$11,848,123 in equity from Ideal Energy[1][2]

Background

The project has been proposed by Ideal Energy Projects, a small private Indian company.[3]

In 2009, it was reported that the company proposed to build a 270MW unit, then float the company on the stock exchange with the expectation that additional units would be built subsequently. It also reported in October 2009 that the company expected approval for the second phase in about a month;[4] the company received a terms of reference toward a 270 MW unit 2 in 2011.[5]

In May 2011, it was reported that Ideal had completed negotiations with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd for the supply of a boiler-turbine-generator and with McNally Bharat Engineering Company for the supply of additional plant and engineering works. Reuters reported that Fitch Ratings were optimistic about the project following the completion of the contracts. Reuters reported that the contracts "coupled with the appointment of experienced technical advisors and personnel, should partly offset the sponsor's lack of an operating track record in the power sector. That said, given BHEL's overflowing order book position, a price variation (with a cap of 20%) clause in the EPC contracts and a meager contingency provision (below 3%), the timely completion of the project without cost overruns remains a challenge."[6]

The first 270 MW unit began operating in March 2013. Ideal Energy has a power purchase agreement with Reliance Power. Coal for the plant will be sourced from Coal India and abroad.[7]

In December 2014, the power station was acquired by Tata Power. Although the power station was described as 540 MW,[8] environmental clearance has yet to be received for unit 2, and its terms of reference (received in 2011) has not been renewed, as of May 2016.

With no further development activity as of September 2016, the project appears to be cancelled.

In July 2017, it was reported that IDBI Capital had invited an expression of interest to take over the thermal power project on behalf of the consortium of lenders led by Canara Bank. It was reported the project was currently non-operational after its medium-term PPA agreement had fallen through, making it difficult for the plant to secure a coal supply.[9]

Financing for Unit 1

It was reported that the company reached financial closure for unit 1 with a consortium of banks led by Canara Bank for RS 1,107 crore in loans; the other banks involved are Bank of Baroda, Corporation Bank, Andhra Bank, Union Bank and Punjab National Bank. Ideal Energy infused RS 800 crore in equity into the project.[1][2]

Environmental criticism

A commenter ("avinashjee") posted the following on wikimapia:[10]

NAGPUR: Conservationists also raised a question over how the Ideal Thermal Power Station, located just 5-6 kilometres from the boundary of Muniya reserve forest, has been allowed to come up. Environmentalist Seema Sahu raised objection to the location and demanded that the power station's expansion plans should not be okayed. Ideal Energy Projects Ltd has constructed a coal-based thermal power station (TPS) with installed capacity of 270 MW adjacent to Purti Sugar Factory and Power Station near village Bela. The unit is all set to commission in a few days. Now, the company has proposed to set up another unit of 270 MW for a total installed capacity of 540 MW. A visit to the site reveals a shocking picture as the plants are located adjacent to agriculture fields. They are also within 1 km from Wadgaon dam which is to be water source for Mihan industries and residential localities as well. Muniya reserve forest that is a dense forest patch and has presence of protected animals is close by. The Muniya forest is proposed to be declared as conservation reserve. It is actually mentioned in the draft environment impact assessment (EIA) submitted by the company to MPCB and citizens. After visiting the plant and dam premises, Sahu said the construction of a thermal power plant in such an area that too close to a forest was most unfortunate. "Any development like thermal power plants should be at least 10 kms from reserve forest as per norms. Besides, the plants are also located close to an irrigation reservoir. It is a big threat for environment," she said. Registering her objection during the public hearing, Sahu demanded that MPCB should not allow the expansion project and any more plants at the site. Representative from Green Peace, Mumbai, Bhagwan Kasbhat too registered an objection against the project. "Flyash is generated in huge quantity from TPS and is highly toxic and radioactive. Flyash disposal plan of the project indicates inadequacy and negligence thus threatening the environment. We strongly oppose the project as it fails to justify itself on environmental, social and economic grounds," he said. Kasbhat too interacted with people at the hearing and also villagers of Khursapur situated close to the plant and village Bela to make them aware of the impact of thermal power stations.

Articles and Resources

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Ideal Energy Projects to set up 270 MW thermal project at Bela". Thermal Power Generation - Industry News. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Bondre, Ketan (2009-10-26). "INTERVIEW - Ideal Energy plans power project, listing". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  3. "Ideal Energy to set up 270MW project at Bela", April 17, 2011.
  4. Ketan Bondre, "Interview - Ideal Energy plans power project, listing", Reuters, October 26, 2009.
  5. Terms of Reference, India MoEF, January 13, 2011.
  6. "Fitch afrms Ideal Energy Projects' bank loans at BB+(ind)", Reuters, May 20, 2011.
  7. "Updates," Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Pvt. Ltd., April 2, 2013.
  8. http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/tata-power-acquires-ideal-energy-s-540-mw-thermal-plant-114121000541_1.html "Tata Power acquires Ideal Energy's 540 MW thermal plant,"] Business Standard, Dec 11, 2014
  9. "Canara Bank-Led Consortium Seeks Buyer For 270 Mw Power Plant In Maharashtra," Energy Infra Post, July 23, 2017
  10. "Ideal Energy Projects Limited," accessed October 2013

Additional data

To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.