NTPC 4000 MW Pudimadaka project awaits domestic fuel linkage.

The NTPC 4000 mw Pudimadaka (Lalamkoduru) super thermal power project, proposed to come up close to Visakhapatnam, is awaiting fuel (coal) linkage to commence works on the project.

The power major had initially proposed to fire up the ultra mega power project using imported coal, that was when the country was facing coal shortage. “But now, the Government has advised us to take up the project on domestic coal. We are awaiting linkage to take up the project,” VB Fadnavis, Regional Executive Director, South), NTPC, said.

Addressing a media conference to update the status and progress of new projects in South, Fadnavis said NTPC has a pipeline of about 9000 mw of projects in South India. This includes 4000 mw thermal power project at Ramagundam in Telangana and 4000 mw thermal power project at Pudimadaka near Visakhapatnam, to be taken up as part of the Act under the States Organisation Act, and other renewable energy projects.

Providing a status update, he said that 1200 acres of land has been allocated for the Pudimadaka project. “Once the linkage is in place, we will be able to begin tendering works and award of contracts,” he said.

The works on the phase one of 1600 MW of the 4000 MW thermal power project in Ramagundam thermal power project has begun after the award of contracts to BHEL and Alstom Bharat Forge. The first unit of the Rs. 10,000 crore phase I project is targeted to be completed by February 2020, he said.

The Coal Ministry has allocated Mandakini-B coal mine of Odisha and tapering coal linkage from Singareni Collieries Company Limited.

HBL