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Chhabra Thermal Power Station is an operating power station of at least 2320-megawatts (MW) in Chowki-Motipura, Chhabra, Baran, Rajasthan, India with multiple units, some of which are not currently operating.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Chhabra Thermal Power Station | Chowki-Motipura, Chhabra, Baran, Rajasthan, India | 24.62092, 77.035439 (exact) |
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4: 24.62092, 77.035439
- Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8: 24.63433, 77.0385039
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | Start year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Operating | coal: subbituminous | 250 | subcritical | 2009 |
| Unit 2 | Operating | coal: subbituminous | 250 | subcritical | 2010 |
| Unit 3 | Operating | coal: subbituminous | 250 | subcritical | 2013 |
| Unit 4 | Operating | coal: subbituminous | 250 | subcritical | 2014 |
| Unit 5 | Operating | coal: subbituminous | 660 | supercritical | 2017 |
| Unit 6 | Operating | coal: subbituminous | 660 | supercritical | 2018 |
| Unit 7 | Pre-permit[1] | coal: subbituminous[1] | 660[1] | ultra-supercritical[1] | – |
| Unit 8 | Pre-permit[1] | coal: subbituminous[1] | 660[1] | ultra-supercritical[1] | – |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | NTPC Ltd [50%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50%][2][2] | NTPC Ltd [50.0%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50.0%] |
| Unit 2 | NTPC Ltd [50%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50%][2][2] | NTPC Ltd [50.0%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50.0%] |
| Unit 3 | NTPC Ltd [50%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50%][2][2] | NTPC Ltd [50.0%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50.0%] |
| Unit 4 | NTPC Ltd [50%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50%][2][2] | NTPC Ltd [50.0%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50.0%] |
| Unit 5 | NTPC Ltd [50%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50%][2][2] | NTPC Ltd [50.0%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50.0%] |
| Unit 6 | NTPC Ltd [50%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50%][2][2] | NTPC Ltd [50.0%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50.0%] |
| Unit 7 | NTPC Ltd [50%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50%][2][2] | NTPC Ltd [50.0%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50.0%] |
| Unit 8 | NTPC Ltd [50%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50%][2][2] | NTPC Ltd [50.0%]; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd [50.0%] |
Background
The power station is owned and operated by Rajasthan RV Utpadan Nigam (RVUN or RRVUN), a government-owned utility. It began as a 500 MW power station, commissioned in 2009-2010. The power station was later expanded by two 250 MW units (Units 3&4).[3] Unit 3 was commissioned in 2013 and unit 4 in 2014.[4]
First Expansion (Stage II)
Two more 660 MW units (Units 5 and 6) were proposed in the 12th Plan (2012-17).[5]
The project received environmental clearance in 2012.[6]
In March 2015, units 5 and 6 were under construction.[7]
According to RVUN, unit 5 was planned for commissioning in December 2016 and unit 6 in June 2018.[8][9]
Unit 5 was synchronized in October 2016 and commissioned in April 2017.[10][11] Unit 6 was commissioned in December 2018 and began commercial operation in March 2019.[12][13]
Second Expansion Proposed
In July 2022, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved RRVUN's proposals for setting up two units of thermal power projects with 660 MW and 800 MW capacity based on ultra-supercritical technology at Chhabra and Kalisindh respectively. The two Chhabra units were expected to be set up at a cost of Rs 9,606.06 crore. “The move will help the state become self-reliant in power generation and also increase employment opportunities and local area development,” read an official statement.[14]
The expansion was submitted to MOEF for Terms of Reference in January 2023. The submission noted that construction was projected to start in November 2023 for completion in 2027.[15] The minutes of EAC committee held in February 2023 discussed the proposal to obtain Terms of Reference but deferred the proposal till submission of additional information, such as the plan for ash utilization, revised layout for the green belt, monitoring of air quality performed by a third party and a report on air emissions from SPCB.[16]
On June 1, 2023, the EAC recommended the expansion receive Terms of Reference.[17]
The TOR document was dated July 17, 2023.[18]
In March 2024, RVUNL and NTPC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to “explore opportunities for adding supercritical units to the existing Chhabra Thermal Power Plant.” The companies also reportedly aimed to improve the efficiency of the plant’s existing units.[19] It was unclear whether the agreement applied to the existing expansion proposal (Units 7 and 8) or an entirely new proposal. In the following November, the two companies signed a Joint Venture (JV) agreement for the future ownership and operation of the power station and any future expansions at the site.[20]
By March 2025, the proponents had still not applied for the expansion project's Environmental Clearance.[21]
Opposition and environmental concerns
After the expansion's ToR was granted, local residents and farmers voiced concerns and criticism of the existing plant's failure to responsibly manage its fly ash waste and other polluting emissions.[22] Community members claimed that irresponsible management of the power station's fly ash frequently ended up in the local potable water supply, and activists asserted that the new units would "only exacerbate the challenges the region faces."[22]
In March 2024, the power station was reportedly charged by the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) with penalties for failing to comply with environmental pollution standards.[23]
Ownership and financing
In 2017 NTPC signed a non-binding MoU with the Rajasthan government to take over the Chhabra thermal power plant. While the total cost of the plant is estimated to around Rs 150 billion, NTPC was supposed to pay around Rs 50 billion for 1000 MW. The deal however is stuck for political reasons. A non-binding MoU allows the parties to modify the terms later.[24]
In November 2024, NTPC and RVUNL signed a JV agreement to form a 50:50 partnership for the ownership and operation of the Chhabra thermal power station.[20] According to reporting, the JV would also be collectively responsible for the development of any expansion projects, presumably including the proposed pre-permit Units 7 and 8.[20]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 https://parivesh.nic.in/newupgrade/#/report/ec?proposalId=1269499&legacyApplicationId=0.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 https://www.business-standard.com/markets/capital-market-news/ntpc-joins-hands-with-rvunl-for-chhabra-thermal-power-plant-124110500483_1.html.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "Chhaba Thermal Power Station", Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited, accessed March 2012.
- ↑ Monthly Report on Broad Status of Thermal Power Projects in the Country, Central Electricity Authority, June 2014
- ↑ "Chhabra TTP Unit 5 & 6", Rajasthan RV Utpadan Nigam website, accessed March 2012.
- ↑ Environmental Clearance, India MoEF, May 23, 2012
- ↑ "MHPS in control systems deal for India supercritical coal plant," PEI, 20/03/2015
- ↑ "Chhaba Thermal Power Station", Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited, accessed September 8, 2015
- ↑ "Ongoing Projects," RRVUN website, accessed September 8, 2015
- ↑ "Broad Status Report," India Central Electrical Authority, March 2017
- ↑ "Broad Status Report," India Central Electrical Authority, April 2017
- ↑ "Executive Summary of the power sector," India CEA, March 2019
- ↑ "Broad Status Report," India Central Electrical Authority, March 2019
- ↑ "Rajasthan: CM Ashok Gehlot approves two thermal power projects," Times of India, July 19, 2022
- ↑ "2x660 MW Expansion Thermal Power Project, U#7&8 Chhabra TPS," Submission IA/RJ/THE/404292/2022
- ↑ "MINUTES OF THE 37TH MEETING OF THE RE-CONSTITUTED EXPERT APPRAISAL COMMITTEE (EAC) ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)" (PDF). environmentclearance.nic.in. February 2023.
{{cite web}}: line feed character in|title=at position 67 (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ “Minutes of the 42nd Meeting of the Re-Constituted Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Thermal Power Projects,” MoEF, June 1, 2023
- ↑ "Expansion TOR," MoEF, July 17, 2023
- ↑ “NTPC signs agreement with Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (RVUNL) for adding supercritical units and reducing electricity generation cost of Chhabra Thermal Power Plant,” India Ministry of Power, March 10, 2024
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 NTPC joins hands with RVUNL for Chhabra Thermal Power Plant, Business Standard, November 5, 2024
- ↑ Parivesh, Ministry of Environmental, Forest, and Climate Change, Last accessed: March 25, 2025
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Chhabra plant expansion faces activists’ criticism Times of India, Aug. 15, 2023
- ↑ Chhabra thermal power stn put on notice for pollution, The Times of India, March 14, 2024
- ↑ Shreya Jai, "NTPC takes equity stake in two Bihar state power projects for Rs 21 billion: MoU with Rajasthan for Chhabra power plant stuck as elections loom," Business Standard, June 30, 2018
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.
