Coal news and updates

Coal block for Bankapower project assured

The ministry of coal has agreed to allocate a coal block for the ultra mega power project proposed at Kakwara in Banka district (4000MW). This assurance was given by Union minister of state (independent charge) for power, coal and renewable energy Piyush Goyal to a delegation of MPs from Bihar led by Sushil Kumar Modi last week in New Delhi. The delegation discussed issues related to power and coal sectors with a view to increasing supply of more power to Bihar, along with resolution of issues related to assistance under central sector schemes.

 The major pending projects discussed were the NTPC's Barh project, ultra mega power plant in Banka district and renovation and modernization of Barauni thermal power plant (210MW).

 It was also indicated that the Barh thermal power plant's unit II of stage 2 (660MW) would be commercially operational by the end of this month. Bihar would get 330MW power from this unit. Power generation from the Barh plant has already been delayed by three months.

 The issue of setting up a 1320MW Buxar thermal power project by Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) was also discussed. As per the MoU between SJVNL and Bihar government, 85% power from the project will be supplied to Bihar. The ministry of coal has already allocated Deocha Pachami coal block of West Bengal for this project along with six state power utilities.

 As regards allocation of power from central sector plants, it was stated that Bihar at present gets 1918MW from six central sector plants and three plants situated in Bhutan. This allocation is sought to be enhanced to 3365MW after completion of Barh and Muzaffarpur extension project units.

 Bihar will also benefit from three other proposed central sector projects, namely Buxar, Pirpainty and Lakhisarai, apart from its share in at least two private sector plants planned by Essar and GMR groups. In the state sector, there is only one power plant, i.e. Barauni (210MW), which is under renovation and modernization.

 Currently, the state's power demand of 2,346MW is met from central sector plants, state sector and from power bought from outside the state.

 The issue relating to burning of transformers installed under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) was also discussed with the minister. On the request of state government, higher capacity distribution transformers (63 kVA and 100 kVA) have already been permitted in the future projects.

Souce:The Times of India