Often criticised for its dependency on power sourced from outside the State, the Government has decided to expand its Tenughat Vidhyut Nigam limited (TVNl) power station. The lalpania-based thermal plant running with 420 MW (2X 210) generation capacity would be enhanced by two more units of 660 MW each.
The proposal of the Energy Department in this regard has been agreed upon and would be sent soon to the Cabinet. “We have agreed to expand the existing power generation capacity of TVNl. The plan was on hold due to dispute with Bihar and the matter is pending with the Supreme Court. But now we have decided to go ahead for additional 1320 MW from 2X 660 MW new units. The proposal would be sent to the Cabinet to get in-principle approval,” said Principal Secretary of Energy Department SKG Rahate.
Notably, Jharkhand from its own sources generates 420 MW from TVNl and 80-100 MW from Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS) which is also in expansion mode with a joint venture with NTPC. Barring couple of Independent Power Plants in the form of Adhunik and Inland, the in-house supply proves penny considering 2150 MW of demand.
This makes the State heavily dependent on power supply from national grid, DVC and few others.
Rahate also posed positively about under process expansion cum efficiency upgradation of PTPS where transfer process of land and Banhardi coal block to NTPC are in their final leg. “We have replied to the query of the Ministry of Power regarding the coal block,” said the official, adding that the way has been cleared for re-bidding for abandoned Tilaiya UMPP of 4000 MW.
“We would be getting 1000 MW from Tilaiya and 2000 MW from another UMPP proposed at Deoghar. Along with that, we are also stressing equally on system improvement that includes replacement of circuit breakers, transformers and erection of new lines. Our priorities are to ensure 24X7 quality power supply to 100 per cent households,” said he.
Furnishing some facts, JBVNl Managing Director Rahul Purwar pointed out that out of 2713 villages in the State, 558 have been electrified by December 2015. “We have aimed to electrify 751 villages by March 2016 and the rest 1404 by December 2017 in order to complete the village electrification work in Jharkhand. Also, out of 68 lakh households, 38 lakh or 56 per cent have got electricity connections while the remaining 30 lakh-odd would be covered by the end of 2017. 28 lakh of them are in rural areas,” said Purwar.
He mentioned that record four grid sub-stations have been energised during the current financial year and three more are in the offing that would help the State in achieving assured power supply. The State under the Centre’s UDAY scheme has to complete 54 grid sub-stations and 88 transmission lines in the next three years. It would cost about Rs 9000 crore and the State has approached the World Bank for long term loan to bear at least 30 per cent of it.