Government contemplates 6 large power plants near coalfields

02 May 2024 CW Team

Within the framework of these ventures, the state-owned coal enterprises will possess a share or ownership interest in the power plants, while in reciprocity, the Coal Ministry pledges to furnish adequate land, coal reserves, or financial backing. To inaugurate this initiative, the ministry is engendering land reserves or procuring land proximate to its coalfields, and the commencement of project operations will coincide with the conclusion of the general election.

An official remarked, "We are presently engaged in discussions with power corporations to establish these plants in close proximity to the coal mines. Securing land adjacent to the mines at this juncture will expedite proceedings once the elections conclude." The collective generating capacity of these power plants is slated to reach 30 gigawatts. In Chhattisgarh, two plants will be sited: one at the Mand-Raigarh Coalfield and the other at the Korba Coalfield. Odisha will host two plants in the IB Valley region and the Sardega locale. The northern territories will accommodate two plants in Chotanagpur within the North Karanpura Coalfield and another in the Rajmahal Coalfield of Jharkhand.

As per the official, the government aspires to replicate the success of the Shaktinagar coalfield zone, which not only contributes 10% of India's coal output but also houses the Singrauli Super Thermal Power Station (SSTPS), accountable for fulfilling 10% of the nation's electricity demands.

The coal ministry aims to diminish the nation's dependency on costly coal transportation for power generation by strategizing the establishment of extensive power plants adjacent to coalfields nationwide. It is envisaged that these coal-driven power plants, each boasting a 5,000-megawatt capacity (accumulating to a total of 30 gigawatts), will be erected in the coal-rich regions of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand. As per the coal ministry's proposal, the development of each power plant will ensue through collaborative ventures involving governmental bodies, private power corporations, and state-owned electricity producers. Within the framework of these ventures, the state-owned coal enterprises will possess a share or ownership interest in the power plants, while in reciprocity, the Coal Ministry pledges to furnish adequate land, coal reserves, or financial backing. To inaugurate this initiative, the ministry is engendering land reserves or procuring land proximate to its coalfields, and the commencement of project operations will coincide with the conclusion of the general election. An official remarked, We are presently engaged in discussions with power corporations to establish these plants in close proximity to the coal mines. Securing land adjacent to the mines at this juncture will expedite proceedings once the elections conclude. The collective generating capacity of these power plants is slated to reach 30 gigawatts. In Chhattisgarh, two plants will be sited: one at the Mand-Raigarh Coalfield and the other at the Korba Coalfield. Odisha will host two plants in the IB Valley region and the Sardega locale. The northern territories will accommodate two plants in Chotanagpur within the North Karanpura Coalfield and another in the Rajmahal Coalfield of Jharkhand. As per the official, the government aspires to replicate the success of the Shaktinagar coalfield zone, which not only contributes 10% of India's coal output but also houses the Singrauli Super Thermal Power Station (SSTPS), accountable for fulfilling 10% of the nation's electricity demands.

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