New Neyveli Thermal Power Station

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New Neyveli Thermal Power Station is an operating power station of at least 1000-megawatts (MW) in Neyveli, Kurinjipadi, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Location

Table 1: Project-level location details

Plant name Location Coordinates (WGS 84)
New Neyveli Thermal Power Station Neyveli, Kurinjipadi, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, India 11.547055, 79.44289 (exact)

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

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Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):

  • Unit 1, Unit 2: 11.547055, 79.44289

Project Details

Table 2: Unit-level details

Unit name Status Fuel(s) Capacity (MW) Technology Start year
Unit 1 operating coal: lignite 500 unknown 2019
Unit 2 operating coal: lignite 500 unknown 2021

Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details

Unit name Owner Parent
Unit 1 NLC India Ltd [100%] NLC India Ltd [100.0%]
Unit 2 NLC India Ltd [100%] NLC India Ltd [100.0%]

Background

Lignite for the power project is being supplied from the Neyveli lignite mine, which is owned and operated by NLC.[1]

On its website NLC states that the anticipated phase out of Neyveli Thermal Power Station I between 2009 and 2014 is "due to ageing of the plant". On its website NLC states that:

"it has been proposed to set up a power plant at Neyveli with a capacity of 2 x 500 MW, for which MOC has accorded sanction for the advance action proposals including for carrying out certain studies in respect of augmentation of existing mines. Preliminary activities such as preparation of Feasibility Report, Environmental studies, Contour Survey and Soil investigation study are in progress. Our company has initiated action for obtaining Mega Power Project status for this project so as to avail certain concessional duties. The estimated cost of the power project is Rs. 5000 crores."[2]

In January 2014, NLC said the power station would be commissioned in 2017-2018.[3]

In December 2016, and March 2017 the India Ministry of Power listed the scheduled commissioning of the plant for 2018.[4][5]

On December 28, 2018, NLC India conducted the boiler light-up test for the first unit, an initial step toward commissioning.[6]

Unit 1 was commissioned in September 2019.[7] Unit 2 was commissioned in February 2021.[8]

In January 2023, a proposal to amend the Environmental Clearance (EC) dated 21.10.2010 was assessed and denied (returned in "present form") by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). The EAC determined "[t]he project proponent could not justify that amendment requested will not pose negative impact on the surrounding environment. It was also noted that PP has not submitted the certified compliance report of existing environmental clearance. It is necessary to have a detailed study on the possible environmental impacts on application of industrial waste water into agricultural fields in the nearby area of the project site by the reputed expert institute."[9]

According to the agenda of the EAC's 11th meeting (to be held in late June 2024), the project proponent had submitted a new proposal for amendments to the project's EC.[10] The EAC subsequently deferred the amendment request regarding effluent discharge.[11]

Financing

In April 2012, the State Bank of India agreed to provide the project with a US$490 million loan.[12]

Reported pollution

In August 2023, an analysis of environmental impacts from several coal plants and mines in Tamil Nadu found widespread air, soil, and water pollution. New Neyveli Thermal Power Station, Neyveli Thermal Power Station I, Neyveli Thermal Power Station II, and Cuddalore IL&FS power station were included in the study, which was conducted by Poovulagin Nanbargal (Friends of the Earth Tamil Nadu) and the research NGO Manthan Adhyayan Kendra. The study found high concentrations of mercury, selenium, and fluoride in several drinking water sources near NLC mines and power stations. Water samples near the IL&FS plant in Parangipettai contained fluoride, iron, calcium, magnesium, and silicon above legal limits. The report recommended stricter regulation of the mines and power plants and measures to cut effluent discharges and the dumping of coal ash in local waterbodies.[13][14]

Articles and Resources

References

  1. Neyveli Lignite Corporation, "Thermal plants: TPS - I", Neyveli Lignite Corporation website, accessed January 2012.
  2. Neyveli Lignite Corporation, "Future Plans", Neyveli Lignite Corporation website, accessed January 2012.
  3. "Neyveli Lignite Corporation unit-I expansion to be commissioned in February," Times of India, Jan 26, 2014.
  4. "Monthly Report on Broad Status of Thermal Power Projects in the Country," Government of India Ministry of Power, December 2016, p. 39
  5. "Broad Status Report," India Central Electrical Authority, March 2017
  6. "NLC India conducts boiler light up for first unit of NNTPP 1000 MW," Ndaipurkiran, Dec 31, 2018
  7. Broad Status, India CEA, October 2019
  8. "PM Narendra Modi dedicates 1000 MW Neyveli new thermal power station to nation - The Financial Express". www.financialexpress.com. 2021-02-27. Retrieved 2021-05-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. "The 36th Meeting of the re-constituted EAC (Thermal Power)," MoEF, January 25, 2023
  10. Agenda for 11th Meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) (Thermal Power Projects) to be Held on 27th - 28th June, 2024, MoEFCC, June 14, 2024
  11. "Minutes of AGENDA FOR 11TH MEETING OF THE EXPERT APPRAISAL COMMITTEE (EAC) (THERMAL POWER PROJECTS) TO BE HELD ON 27TH – 28TH JUNE, 2024 meeting Thermal Projects held from 27/06/2024 to 28/06/2024," India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, July 16, 2024
  12. "State Bank of India signs Neyveli power loan | News | IJGlobal". ijglobal.com. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
  13. "POWERing Pollution: The Environmental Impacts of Thermal Power Stations and Mining Operations in Neyveli & Parangipettai," Poovulagin Nanbargal and Manthan Adhyayan Kendra, August 8, 2023
  14. "Report finds several environmental and pollution issues affecting villagers in and around the two power stations in Chennai’s Neyveli and Cuddalore," The Hindu, August 8, 2023

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.