NTPC has synchronized to grid one more 660-mw unit of its Barh supercritical power project in Bihar.
The unit in question is the first unit of Stage-1 (3×660-mw) of the Barh power project taking shape in Patna district.
The power project has a total of five units of 660-mw each, three in Stage-1 and two in Stage-2. It may be mentioned that Stage-2 was fully commissioned, even before Stage-1, with the two units turning operational in November 2014 and February 2015, respectively. The EPC contractor for Stage-2 was Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
Why the delay
If all had gone well, NTPC’s Barh project would have amongst the early supercritical power generation plants in India. However, things did not progress as desired. The contract for supplying main plant equipment to the 3×660-mw Stage-1 was placed on Russian firms, way back in 2005. While Technoprom Export (TPE) was to supply the boilers, another Russian company OJSC Power Machines Group was mandated to supply the turbine-generators.
There were several differences between NTPC and TPE, which led to the project running behind schedule for several years. After completing some amount of work on the first boiler, TPE also ran into financial trouble and sought more funds from NTPC to complete the work, to which NTPC did not agree.
Ultimately, the contract with TPE was terminated and the balance works were awarded to Doosan Power Systems India. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd was also given the contract for piping works associated with the boiler. Other suppliers like GE Power and Power Mech Projects were also involved with the project.
However, it is yet not clear if NTPC continued with Power Machines Group for the turbine-generators, or whether this contract too was placed on different suppliers.
Remaining units of Stage-1
The two remaining units of 660-mw of Stage-1 are expected to be commissioned by March 2022, taking the total capacity of the Barh power plant to 3,300 mw.
Impact on Bihar
Currently, Bihar is getting 1,198 mw of power from Stage-2 and will get an additional 1,025 mw from Stage-1, when fully commissioned. NTPC is currently supplying 4,248 mw of power to Bihar from its various plants.
Featured photograph, sourced from NTPC, shows long-view of NTPC’s Barh power project.