Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station

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{{#Badges:CoalSwarm|navbar-Indiacoal}}Raghunathpur power station is a proposed 2,520-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power station under various stages of construction in West Bengal, India.

Location

The photo below shows the project at Raghunathpur, in Purlia district.

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Background

Phase I, Units 1-2

The power station is proposed by Damodar Valley Corporation and would comprise two 600 MW units slated to be commissioned in 2013.[1][2]

In March 2014 it was reported that "the first phase was supposed to become operational in November 2010. However, because of major issues such as non-availability of land, water and rail connectivity, the project has been delayed,” an official said.[3]

Unit 1 was commissioned in August 2014.[4] Unit 2 was commissioned in January 2016. However, the two units did not enter commercial operation until March 2016.[5]

Phase II, Units 3-4

A second phase of 2 x 660 MW has also been proposed.[3] In 2015 Phase II was listed in the Broad Status report as under construction,[4] and planned for completion in India's 13th plan (2018-2023).[6] In 2017, the company continues to list Phase II on its web site among "Projects under construction."[7] However, in the July 2016 Broad Status Report, Phase II is no longer listed. Photographs of the site show no construction beyond Units 1 and 2. It appears that Phase II has been shelved or cancelled.[8]

Citizen opposition

It has been reported that the power utility was planning to build a 10-km pipeline from a local dam to the plant for its water needs. "For constructing the pipeline, it had run into land acquisition problems ... the physical construction of the pipeline faced opposition from locals who demanded jobs in addition to the compensation. 'There are about 2, 200 land-losers at the moment and their number is going to increase as land is acquired for ensuring water connectivity and rail connectivity,' said J.K. Singh, Chief Engineer of the project, adding that it was not possible to provide jobs to every land-loser."[9]

DVC looks to sell plant

According to a May 2017 newspaper article, DVC is saddled with a surplus capacity of 1,900 MW, causing a loss of Rs 1,000 crore in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. In order to reduce its finance costs, the company is planning to divest the Raghunathpur plant to Neyveli Lignite Corporation, a deal that has been approved by the Centre and the Jharkhand government and now awaits the clearance of the Bengal government.[10]

Project Details

Sponsor: Damodar Valley Corporation
Location: Raghunathpur village, Purulia district, West Bengal
Coordinates: 23.6219101, 86.6607034 (exact)
Status: Units 1-2: Operating; Units 3-4: Shelved
Nameplate capacity: Phase I: 1200 MW (Units 1&2: 600 MW); Phase II: 1,320 MW (Units 3&4: 660 MW)
Type: Supercritical
Projected in service: 2014 (Unit 1); 2016 (Unit 2); 2018-2023 (Units 3-4)
Coal Type:
Coal Source:
Estimated annual CO2:
Source of financing:
Permits and applications:

Resources and articles

References

  1. "Monthly Report on Broad Status of Thermal Power Projects in the Country" Government of India Ministry of Power, September 2012.
  2. Damodar Valley Corporation, "Growth Plans: 11th Plan Capacity Addition Programme", Damodar Valley Corporation website, accessed November 2011.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Pinak Ghosh, "DVC trims power target", The Telegraph, March 31, 2014.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Broad Status Report, India Central Electrical Authority, April 2015
  5. "Monthly Report on Broad Status of Thermal Power Projects in the Country," Government of India Ministry of Power, March 2016
  6. "Supply of coal to Power Plants," India Ministry of Power, July 23, 2015
  7. "Growth Plans - Generation," Damodar Valley Corporation, accessed May 2017
  8. "Monthly Report on Broad Status of Thermal Power Projects in the Country," Government of India Ministry of Power, July 2016
  9. "DVC project to be ready by March after 18-month delay" Shiv Sahay Singh, The Hindu, December 17, 2012.
  10. "Capacity headache for DVC," The Telegraph, 12 May 2017

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