THE Hasdeo Thermal Power Plant (HTPP) currently houses four units of 210 MW each and another unit of 500 MW. However, the plant will soon add two supercritical units of 660 MW each. This increase in power generation capacity will also lead to a rise in coal consumption. To run the expanded HTPP, 6.5 million tonne of coal will be required annually. In addition to the coal supply from the conveyor belt laid from the Kusmunda mine to the plant, the railways will assist in transporting the coal.

 

The contract with the railways is currently under process. Other preparations are also under way to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted development and operation of the plant. RITES company has conducted a survey to complete the necessary works, including the renovation of the railway line. he new plant will have an annual water consumption of 34.6896 million cubic meters, with water being supplied from the Darri dam through the Hasdeo Bango project. Once the two units of the HTPP expansion plant are established and operational, the electricity generation capacity of the state-owned thermal power plant will increase to 4,160 MW in the future. Currently, the plant's capacity is 2,840 MW. CSPGCL's total power generation capacity, which includes both thermal and hydroelectric plants, is 2,978 MW. The four units of 210 MW and one unit of 500 MW at the HTPP plant are currently operational.

 

They are supplied coal through a conveyor belt from the Kusmunda mine. The average daily coal supply is approximately 24,000 tonne, while the plant's daily coal consumption is around 18,000 tonne. To generate electricity from the two supercritical 660 MW units of the proposed HTPP expansion (totaling 1,320 MW), 6.5 million tonne of coal will be required annually. In addition to the coal supply from the Kusmunda mine via conveyor belt, a contract for the transportation of coal by rail will also be signed. The HTPP plant also has an older railway line that connects the power plant to the Surakachhar coal siding. The railways have conducted a survey, in collaboration with RITES, for the renovation and other related works. Coal will also be supplied from the Surakachhar coal siding to the new plant via rail, ensuring a steady coal supply for the plant's requirements. BP Patel, project manager of the HTPP expansion plant, stated that the new plant will receive coal under the Shakti policy as part of a long-term plan. A total of 6.5 million tonne of coal will be required annually to generate electricity from both units of the plant, with coal sourced from the Kusmunda mine.