The new supercritical 800-MW unit of the Dr. Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS) began commercial operation on December 20 (Wednesday).
It is capable of generating up to 19.20 Million Units (MU) per day, which is equivalent to almost 10% of the total power demand in the State. With this unit, the thermal power generation capacity of AP-Genco and AP Power Development Company Limited has increased to 6,610 MW from from 5,810 MW.
AP-Genco Managing Director K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu participated as chief guest in the programme.
According to an official release, the new unit’s annual coal requirement of 3.942 Million Metric Tons per Annum has been tied-up with the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL). The project has been established by BHEL (boiler-turbine-generator component) and BGR Energy Systems Limited (balance-of-plant).
A milestone, says Peddireddi
In his message, Energy Minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy said it was a significant milestone for Andhra Pradesh‘s power sector, and it would help in providing reliable and affordable power to consumers.
Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K. Vijayanand said the new unit of the NTTPS would ensure sustainability of power and facilitate the enhancement of its quality.
AP-Genco was actively pursuing the goal of emission reductions, for which steps were taken to improve the coal utilisation across its thermal plants and efficiency of the plants, he observed.
Mr. Chakradhar Babu said commissioning of the unit was initially held up for six months in order to obtain approvals of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with revised norms that necessitated some changes in boiler design parameters.
Besides, the coronavirus pandemic had hindered the project. During the 72 hours of the commissioning process, the unit achieved an average load of 822.55 MW, which is among the highest-ever recorded in the country.
