Ghatampur power station

From Global Energy Monitor

Ghatampur power station is a proposed 1,980-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power station in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Location

The map shows the project location in Ghatampur taluk, Uttar Pradesh, india.

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Background on Plant

Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) proposed setting up a 1,980 MW (3×660 MW) coal-based power plant in Ghatampur in a joint venture with NLC Uttar Pradesh Power. Although one source reported that construction on the project began in June 2012, that report appeared to be in error since in August 2014 the company reported that land acquisition was still in progress, and the project was shown on the list of "future projects" rather than on the list of "projects under implementation."[1][2] The project received terms of reference in 2012, followed by an environmental clearance (EC).[3]

In 2013, NLC said nearly 2,500 acres of land had been allocated for the project and, of this, nearly 50 per cent had been acquired.[4]

Opposition

The Union Ministry of Coal allocated the Pachwara-South Block in Dumka district of Jharkhand for the project. However, residents of the area objected to mining. NCL said, despite the opposition, the project would not be delayed due to work suspension, and was on schedule for completion in 2017.[4]

December 2014: Project Still Stymied

The project applied for environmental clearance in January 2014. As of December 2014, the Times of India reported that the environmental clearance for the project remained blocked, due to lack of coal. Development of the Pachwara South block was among the coal blocks quashed by the Supreme Court in the Coalgate scandal. In addition, the Times of India stated that "Pachwara South coal block in Jharkhand is hard to come by because of tough forest laws. A senior official associated with the project said NLPC has sought import of coal for the power plant until a coal mine is allocated."[5]

2015: Project receives clearance

According to the India MoEF website (accessed April 2015), the project again applied for environmental clearance (EC) in February 2015. EC was granted on June 17, 2015. The permit stated that imported coal from the Paradip Port would be used until the Pachwara South coal block attained the rated production.[6]

The plant was not included in a March 2016 India government list of coal plants under construction.[7]

In July 2016, it was reported the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had given its approval for the project.[8]

Construction & further delays

As of 2017, the plant was under construction.[9] In April 2021, the plant was reportedly planned for commissioning in 2021-2022.[10] However, by November 2021, it was planned for 2022-2023. Reasons for ongoing delays listed included a "BKU Strike for 178 days," the impact of Covid-19, and "financial crunch" faced by the agency.[11]

By May 2022, the plant was planned for 2023. Reports stated: "Work of all the BoP areas has been put on hold since August 2021 and presently, no work is going on the site due to financial issues being faced by M/s BGR. BGR is not able to pay its sub vendors." [12]

According to the MoU signed between the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) and the UPRVUNL in 2010, a minimum 75% of power from Ghatampur TPS was be allocated to Uttar Pradesh and 15% of the installed capacity was kept unallocated at the disposal of the Central government. NLC and U.P. shared equity share in the plant at a 51:49 ratio. In June 2022, Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) asked for a 20% equity participation in the power station.[13] By December 2022, a request by the Assam government for 25% share of the power produced was accepted by the UP’s electricity regulatory commission. The Assam request for a 20% stake in the joint venture was still under consideration.[14]

During a January 2023 site visit, Secretary of coal Amrat Lal Meena was told that one unit would become ready for operation by July and the remaining two units by the end of the calendar year.[15][16]

Financing

It was reported in January 2018 that the project had secured US$1.73 billion in loans from Power Finance Corporation, Rural Electrification Corporation, and State Bank of India.[17] Earlier, the project had secured a loan of Rs 1,000 crore from the Bank of India.[18]

Project Details

Resources and articles

References

  1. "NLC – UPRVUNL’s Ghatampur Power Project," Power Tracker, accessed June 2014.
  2. "Future Plans," Neyveli Lignite website, accessed August 2014
  3. Terms of Reference, India MoEF, Dec 28, 2012.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Neyveli Lignite Corp’s UP project hits roadblock," The Hindu, December 13, 2013.
  5. Pankaj Shah, "No nod from MoEF, Ghatampur power plant in rough weather," Times of India, December 28, 2014
  6. Environmental clearance, India MoEF, June 17, 2015
  7. "Monthly Report on Broad Status of Thermal Power Projects in the Country," Government of India Ministry of Power, March 2016
  8. "Cabinet approves 1980 MW coal based thermal power project," Business Standard, July 21, 2016
  9. "Monthly Report on Broad Status of Thermal Power Projects in the Country," Government of India Ministry of Power, March 2017
  10. "Broad Status of Thermal Power Plants," India Central Electricity Authority, April 2021
  11. “Broad Status Report,” Thermal Project Monitoring Division, Central Electricity Authority, November 2021
  12. “Broad Status Report of Under Construction Thermal Power Projects,” India Central Electricity Authority, May 2022
  13. "Ghatampur thermal plant: Uttar Pradesh may agree to Assam’s request for 20% stake, 25% share in power," Hindustan Times, August 6, 2022
  14. "BHEL, L&T-MHI in the race for mega NLC order," Hindu Business Line, December 6, 2022
  15. "One of three units of Kanpur thermal plant to be ready for production by July, secy told," Hindustan Times, January 17, 2023
  16. “Broad Status Report of Under Construction Thermal Power Projects,” India Central Electricity Authority, November 2022
  17. 17.0 17.1 "India's NUPPL secures $1.73bn loan for Ghatampur thermal power project - NS Energy". Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  18. 18.0 18.1 Jan 2, TNN / Updated:; 2018; Ist, 00:27. "NUPPL secures Rs 11,067 crore loan for Ghatampur thermal power station | Puducherry News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2020-10-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

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