NTPC to commission 10MW solar plants in State very soon

--Kaniha plant to reduce coal import from next year

NTPC Talcher-Kaniha plant

BHUBANESWAR: Talcher Super Thermal Power Station of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) limited would commission its 10 MW Photo-Voltaic solar plant very soon, said Executive Director of NTPC Talcher-Kaniha VB Fadnavis at a Media Appreciation Programme held inside the plant premises on Saturday.

The solar plants are being constructed at Stage-II Township and Patharmunda (main plant campus) with installed capacity of eight mega watts and two mega watts respectively with 45 acres of land. The work of construction of the solar plant has been awarded to the Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL).

According to official sources, foundation stone of the solar plant was laid on July 3 last year. It will generate 14.1 million units of electricity annually which is equivalent to the power requirement of approximately 12000 households.

“With a vision to provide green power through locally available resources at affordable price and promoting clean energy, we have started the solar power plant in our Kaniha plant,” said Fadnavis.

Notably, the NTPC has already commissioned two 10 MW Solar PV Project at Dadri and Andaman and Nicobar.

In response to a question regarding NTPC Talcher-Kaniha’s next plan, Fadnavis said the mediapersons that they have planned to reduce coal import from the Mahanadi Coal Limited (MCL) from next year as their new coal mining at Kaniha has been started.

They had Lingaraj mines as their only source to fuel their power plant, but now the Kaniha mines will help them to become self-sufficient, said the Executive Director.

“We have imported around 15 per cent of total coal consumed by the plant during last financial year, but the newly started mines will help us to reduce the coal shortage problem further,” said Fadnavis.