Uttar Pradesh: NUPPL Super Critical Thermal Power Plant To Be Commissioned Soon, To Meet Rising Power Demand

NLC India Limited, previously known as Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited, is gearing up to meet the increasing demand for power supply.

The company is set to commence the operation of its first super critical coal-based thermal power plant shortly. The maiden power plant, Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Ltd (NUPPL), is being constructed in Ghatampur Tehsil, Uttar Pradesh.

The NUPPL project is being constructed based on engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract mode.

It will be handled by a single contractor and the contractor is responsible for all the project's aspects, from procuring equipment to building the infrastructure to developing the power plant itself.

Chairman and Managing Director of NLC India Limited, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli said "The work is in full swing at NUPPL and will be commissioned by the end of FY 2023-24," reports Financial Express.

NLC India Limited is executing the project in partnership with Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL).

The NUPPL power plant project received the Government of India sanction on 27 July 2016.

Piyush Goyal, then the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines (Independent Charge), laid the foundation stone for the project.

Despite the expected completion period of 64 months, the project was delayed due to various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NUPPL super critical thermal power project is being developed across a massive area of 1,013.97 hectares. This includes a power plant area that spans 768 hectares and a township project area covering 68 hectares.

The township project will consist of residential complexes for employees, a guesthouse, a hospital, and a school.

The NUPPL super critical thermal power project's development cost is estimated to be around Rs 19,406.12 crore. However, until 2 June 2023, the total capital expenditure (capex) incurred is only Rs 15,109.6 crore.

Rapid progress is being made at the NUPPL power plant's construction site. The super critical thermal plant's physical progress has reached 80.20 per cent as of 2 June 2023. The financial progress is slightly lower, at 77.86 per cent.

NUPPL thermal power plant has a total capacity of 1,980 MW, with three units of 660 MW each.

For the transportation of coal from Hamirpur railway station to the plant, NUPPL has constructed a rail siding that extends up to 43.2 km in length.

NUPPL's thermal power project will contribute significantly to the growth of the local economy. This power plant is also environmentally friendly, thanks to the application of cutting-edge technologies that align perfectly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Net Zero' vision.