Prime Minister Set to Unveil Initial Stage of NLC India's Talabira Power Plant

In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for the 2400 MW coal-based thermal power plant at Talabira in Odisha's Jharsuguda district on Saturday. The project, undertaken by lignite miner NLC India (NLCIL), is a colossal venture with an estimated cost of ₹27,712 crore.

The first phase of the ultra-super critical pithead power plant, boasting a capacity of 2400 megawatts, is expected to kickstart operations by the fiscal year 2029. NLCIL's Chairman and Managing Director, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, announced during a virtual media interaction that the Prime Minister's groundbreaking ceremony would take place on February 3.

Highlighting the project's significance, Motupalli emphasized that it is the largest greenfield pithead thermal power plant envisioned in the country in recent times. Leveraging the cost advantages of a pithead project, the plant will receive coal from adjacent mines through an eco-friendly conveyor system, minimizing the need for expensive road and rail transportation.

Moreover, the Talabira Thermal Power Project (NTTPP) is poised to offer power at one of the most competitive tariffs among all thermal power stations nationwide. The initial phase aims to supply 1,787 crore units of electricity to Odisha and other states, generating power at a cost of approximately ₹3.65 per unit (₹2.40 fixed cost and ₹1.25 variable cost).

Motupalli highlighted the plant's environmentally friendly features, including Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) for SOx control, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) for NOx control, 10% eco-friendly biomass co-firing, and advanced solid waste management and effluent treatment systems.

The entire 2400 MW capacity has been allocated to Odisha (400 MW), Tamil Nadu (1500 MW), Kerala (400 MW), and Puducherry (100 MW). The coal requirement for the first phase is approximately 11.37 million tonnes per annum, with coal linkages from NLCIL’s Talabira II and Talabira III blocks.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the main plant, valued at ₹18,255 crore. The first 800 MW unit is anticipated to be commissioned in 52 months, with subsequent units coming online at six-month intervals.

Looking ahead, the second phase of the project will add another 800 MW of capacity, with an estimated cost ranging between ₹7,500-8,000 crore, following the completion of the initial phase.

HBL