Navabharat power station

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{{#Badges:CoalSwarm|navbar-Indiacoal}}Navabharat power station is a 1050-megawatt (MW) coal plant proposed for Dhenkanal district of Odisha, India by Essar Energy.

Location

The map below shows the district of Dhenkanal, but not the exact location of the project:

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Background

In its 2010 annual report Essar states that in July 2010 it "entered into an agreement for the acquisition of a 100% interest in Navabharat Power Pvt. Limited (‘Navabharat Power’) for a consideration of US$50.2 million."[1]

The company states that "the project is estimated to cost a total of US$2.0 billion and is being implemented in two phases. The first and second phase are expected to provide capacities of 1,050 MW and 1,200 MW, respectively. Prior to the acquisition, NPPL had already obtained certain key regulatory approvals for the construction project including those in respect of environmental and forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. By virtue of the acquisition, Group has obtained a 17.39% interest in the allocation of the Rampia coal block of 112 million tonnes and a 4.7 mmt per annum coal linkage with Coal India Limited."[2]

Navabharat I was originally planned for operation in the first quarter of 2014.[3]

Central Bureau of Investigation files report

In November 2013, it was reported that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Navabharat Power for the coal block allotted to it in Odisha in November 2008. The report charged that Navabharat misrepresented facts to get the coal block and then made a profit of Rs 200 crore by selling it to Essar Power. The CBI questioned executives of Navabharat and Essar Group director Vikash Saraf. According the CBI, Navabharat did not have sufficient net worth for the proposed plant, making the allocation illegitimate.[4]

Project reaches financial closure but has to refile for permits

Because of the long delays since its original regulatory clearances, the project requires revalidation of environmental clearance, water approval, and mining arrangements. The project has reached financial closure but no debt has been drawn.[4]

Coal supply

On its website the company states that "the project includes the allocation of the Rampia Coal block of 112 million metric tons (mmt) and has a tapering linkage of 4.7 million metric tons per annum (mmtpa) from Coal India."[5]

Project shelved

As of August 2015 the project is not mentioned on Essar Energy's website list of upcoming projects, nor in its 2014 Annual Report, and appears to be deferred or abandoned.[6]

Navabharat II power station

In its 2010 annual report Essar Energy refers to a 1200MW expansion of the Navabharat power station, which it refers to as Navabharat II, as being under "development" by the company. No other details about the project are mentioned.[7] The company's webpage, which only lists projects "under construction" and those already operating, does not mention the possible expansion.[5] In subsequent reports this unit is not mentioned; it appears to have been dropped.

Project Details

Sponsor: Essar Energy
Location: Dhenkanal district, Odisha
Coordinates: 20.65616, 85.604263 (location of Dhenkanal but not the exact location of the project)
Status: Cancelled
Nameplate capacity: Navabharat I - 1050 MW; Navabharat II - 1200 MW
Type:
Projected in service:
Coal Type:
Coal Source: Rampia Coal block and via Coal India mines
Estimated annual CO2:
Source of financing:
Permits: Environmental Clearance, India MoEF, Feb 8, 2008

Resources and articles

Related SourceWatch articles

References

  1. Essar Energy, "2010 Annual Report", Essar Energy, April 2011, page 26.
  2. Essar Energy, "2010 Annual Report", Essar Energy, April 2011, page 101.
  3. Essar Energy, "2010 Annual Report", Essar Energy, April 2011, page 12.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Essar Power's Rs 11,000-crore investment awaits approval," Rediff Business, November 3, 2013
  5. 5.0 5.1 Essar Energy, "Power", Essar Energy website, accessed February 2012.
  6. "New projects", Essar Energy website, accessed April 2015
  7. Essar Energy, "2010 Annual Report", Essar Energy, April 2011, page 13.
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