NLC India Awards BHEL EPC Contract for 2,400 MW Pit Head Thermal Power Project in Odisha

Chennai: NLC India Ltd, a Navratna Company under the Ministry of Coal, has chosen Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract to establish a Pit Head Green Field Thermal Power Project with a capacity of 2,400 MW (3 x 800 MW – Stage I) in Jharsuguda District, Odisha. The competitive tender process under the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) route led to this significant development. The project will leverage Ultra Super Critical Technology, ensuring advanced efficiency and sustainability.

The entire power output of 2,400 MW is committed to the States of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala, and Puducherry, with Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) already formalized. BHEL’s scope of work encompasses engineering, manufacturing, supply, erection, and commissioning of critical equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, balance of plants, Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD), and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) for 3 x 800 MW – 2400 MW Stage –I.

The coal linkage for the project is secured from NLC India Ltd’s operational Talabira II& III mines in Jharsuguda and Sambalpur Districts of Odisha, producing 20 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and operational since 2020. The project will source water requirements from the Hirakud Reservoir, and the generated power will be evacuated through the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) and State Transmission Utility (STU) Network.

In adherence to Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) guidelines, the project will incorporate state-of-the-art pollution control equipment, including FGD and SCR. The boilers are designed to facilitate co-firing of biomass, aligning with Green initiatives outlined by the Ministry of Power, alongside integrated Biomass handling systems.

The first unit of the project is slated for commissioning in the financial year 2028-29. Positioned as a Pit Head Thermal Project, it ensures competitive variable costs, enabling NLC India to provide low-cost power to its designated beneficiaries.