NTPC authorities are working round the clock to ensure that the first phase of the 1,600 MW Telangana Super Thermal Power Project (TSTPP) in Ramagundam is commissioned ahead of the scheduled time.
Due to the pace at which work is progressing at the site, officials are confident that the unit 1 of 800 MW capacity would be commissioned by May 2020, while the second unit with another 800 MW capacity is completed by November 2020. The total planned capacity of the plant is 4,000 MW.
Officials have so far completed the main power house and laying the foundation for the control room of unit-1. The front side of the structural erection is ready to be worked upon.
Meanwhile, foundations for the boiler and electrostatic precipitator for structural erections have also been completed. Technical work includes laying the track hopper foundation, laying of 400 KV DC lines and ash dyke. The steam blowing unit would be ready by 2019, officials said.
The TSTPP was part of assurances made to Telangana under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project in August 2016. The proposed cost of the project is ₹10,598 crore and a power purchase agreement was made with TSSPDCL. NTPC authorities have decided to utilise the ultra-supercritical technology, which helps in reduction of coal consumption and causes less pollution.
The project also envisages a compact GIS switchyard, which needs less space compared to conventional switchyards. Therefore, less land is required for the project. As part of environmental protection measures, NTPC authorities are using high efficiency electrostatic precipitators and are constructing the chimney at a height of 275 metres.
Official sources said that NTPC was according priority for the environmental protection. Units are being commissioned with flue gas de-sulpharisation system, which will be the first 800 MW project with a wet chimney. NTPC is also planning to plant more than 50,000 trees in the vicinity of the project as part of environmental protection programme.