When most of the upcoming private sector’s Independent Power Plants (IPPs) are stuck at various levels in the want of clearances, necessary raw materials and infrastructure and lots of time is still left in the proposed projects to billow fumes, there is some good news for Jharkhand from unexpected quarters.
The power-starved State with immense potential in the field of electricity based industrial development is set to get additional 294 MW from the projects coming under the Central sector. The contribution is expected to be available to the State during the terminal year of the 12th five year plan; i.e. 2016-17.
The chunk of electricity would be available from three thermal power projects located in neighbouring Bihar. As per the information provided in a Right to Information reply, the Integrated Resources Planning Division of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has said that mineral rich state would be benefited for sourcing the fossil fuel to the power stations.
“To meet the demand projection of the 18th EPS (Electric Power Supply), a generation capacity addition target of 88,537 MW has been planned for conventional sources during 12th Five Year Plan, In addition, as per MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy), the capacity addition planned from renewable sources is 30,000 MW during the 12th plan. With this capacity addition on all India basis the demand projected by the 18th is likely to be fully met by the terminal year of the 12th plan (2016-17). Jharkhand is likely to get 294 MW from the Central Sector Projects likely to yield benefit during 12th Plan,” said the CEA in its latest response.
Details of the project suggest that extension of two units of Kanti Thermal Power Project, Muzaffarpur would fetch 12 WM to Jharkhand out of its total generation capacity 390 MW. Similarly three units of Barh Thermal Power Project-I of total 1980 installed capacity would contribute hefty 202 MW to the State. Another thermal project at the same location named as Barh-II would supply 80 MW to Jharkhand from its two units. Some part of Kanti is commissioned while a portion is under construction where as Barh-II of 1320 MW has been commissioned fully.
The coal laden State is facing acute shortage of power against its growing demand. State owned Patratu Thermal Power Station and Tenughat Thermal Power Station are running much below their actual generation capacity and the Government, besides procuring power from central pool and couple of private sector plants commissioned, is relaying badly on DVC to meet the demand supply gap.
DVC’s contribution has also been below satisfactory to the State. In comparison of 2013-14, when the Center’s power major had supplied 846 MU around its command area, in the preceding year 2014-15 the supply came down to 534 MU. Apart from Jharkhand, DVC sells its major share to West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.
“We have taken some steps to rejuvenate PTPS with the help of NTPC and also planning to take over Corporate Power Plant at Chandwa. NTPC is also coming up with its plant in Hazaribagh while couples of ultra-mega power projects are also in sight. But all these would take time in getting commissioned. If the central sector projects being established in Bihar chip in with electricity on time, the State can ease its dependence on central pool in near future and that also with virtually no capital investment,” said a top official of the Jharkhand Urja Vikas Nigam limited.