PM Modi Laid Foundation stone of Talabira Thermal Power Project

On February 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Talabira thermal power project in Odisha. The project aims to provide affordable electricity in the state, with a capacity of 3200 MW. 

About Talabira Thermal Power Project 

• The Talabira power station, also known as Neyveli Talabira Super Critical Thermal Power Project (NTTPP), is situated in Talabira, Sambalpur, Odisha. 
• The station will be activated in three phases, with the first phase consisting of three stations of 800 MW each. 
• The government has approved the establishment of a 2400 MW Ultra Super Critical Thermal Power Plant at Talabira through NLC India Limited (NLCIL).

Ultra-supercritical (USC) power plants are designed to operate at extremely high temperatures and pressures. They operate above the critical point of water, which is the temperature and pressure at which liquid and gas phases of water coexist in equilibrium, making it difficult to distinguish between water vapor and liquid water.

• NLCIL has been awarded the Talabira coal mines, which have a total reserve of 553 million tonnes (MT) and a peak rated capacity of 23 MT. 
• The project holds a valuation exceeding Rs 27,000 crore and aligns with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision. 
• The Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) have already secured a supply of 800 MW to Odisha, 1,500 MW to Tamil Nadu, 400 MW to Kerala, and 100 MW to Puducherry.

BHEL Got the Bid

• An EPC contract worth ₹18,255 crore has been awarded to BHEL for the Main Plant. 
• The project involves setting up a thermal power plant, with the first 800 MW unit expected to be commissioned in 52 months.
• Subsequent units will come online at six-month intervals. BHEL has won its biggest power sector order to date through competitive bidding. 
• BHEL has a longstanding collaboration with NLCIL and has contributed to the installation of 77% of the utility's coal/lignite-based power stations, with a total capacity of 3,590 MW.

Other Projects 

• During his visit, PM Modi dedicated two NTPC plants - the Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station (2x800 MW) and the NSPCL Rourkela PP Expansion Project (1x250 MW). 
• He also laid the foundation stone for NTPC's Talcher Thermal Power Project, which will consist of two units with a capacity of 660 MW each.

About BHEL

• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is India's largest engineering and manufacturing enterprise in the energy and infrastructure sectors. 
• Established in 1964, BHEL is a leading global power equipment manufacturer and one of the earliest and significant contributors to building an Atma Nirbhar Bharat.