NTPC Simhadri to commission Rs. 871-cr FGD plant by March '23
Construction of 4 FGD chimneys supposed to be completed by April, 2022 but the work was delayed due to the pandemic
image for illustrative purpose
The plant area has 3,383 acres. Simhadri has 518 permanent employees and 2,870 employees on contract. It needs 30,000 tonnes of coal per day to produce its full capacity
Visakhapatnam: NTPC Simhadri Super Thermal Power Plant near Parawada in Anakapalli district known as the hill of lights producing quality power which will turn 25 on Friday will commission the Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) plant by spending Rs 871 crore by March, 2023.
As part of environment protection and pollution prevention, the construction of the FGD plant is continuing at a brisk pace. FGD is useful to reduce the intensity of harmful gases like carbon and sulfur oxide released in the process of burning coal. This was started in 2019. Four FGD chimneys (143 meters long) are being constructed. It was supposed to be completed by April, 2022 but the work was delayed due to the pandemic. Officials say it will be completed by March, 2023
The Simhadri plant was set up on July 8 July, 1997 with four units to produce coal-fired 2000 MW and set several records of sorts in its journey. It also hit the headlines recently for commissioning a 25 MW of floating solar power plant propelling growth in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry. It is a modern coal-fired power plant- a combination of four independent generation units, with common water and fuel sources, and common ash ponds.
Since the operator of the plant is NTPC, a Government of India enterprise, and built with Central funds, power generated by units 3 and 4 are sold to distribution companies based in neighboring States of Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, over the National Grid, as power stocks. The allocations are decided between NTPC and the three States' Discoms. Unsold units are offered to Discoms of Andhra Pradesh for purchase at market prices.
The plant area has 3,383 acres. Simhadri has 518 permanent employees and 2870 employees on contract. It needs 30,000 tonnes of coal per day to produce its full capacity.
NTPC is leading in spending CSR funds. Protected freshwater schemes, AR plants, roads, canals, solar electric lights, social toilets, schools, colleges and Anganwadi buildings are being constructed in the surrounding villages. It is working hard to protect rare turtles. Besides providing annual scholarships to students, girls and women various programs are being undertaken towards self-reliance. It spent about Rs 17 crore in the last four years.
Girish Chandra Choukse, Group General Manager of NTPC Simhadri the plant flagship Project of Maharatna NTPC Limited, draws sweet water from Yeleru Canal to a man made raw water reservoir spread in 150 acres near the plant boundary for storage and further use.
In the year 2019, it was proposed to install a floating solar plant on the reservoir without affecting the bund by providing first of its kind anchor ropes from all sides. The project was awarded to BHEL on EPC basis at a cost of Rs 110 crore with a completion period of 15 months.
Despite the severe Covid-19 pandemic, the floating solar project faced several difficulties in the equipment supplies and manpower mobilisation. Beating all odds NTPC Simhadri, successfully completed the 10 MW of total 25 MW and successfully connected to Southern Grid on June 29, 2021. The balance 15 MW was successfully connected to the grid on August 21, 2021.
