NTPC, in a stock exchange filing, said that Unit-2 of its 3×660-mw Nabinagar power plant in Bihar, has successfully completed trial operations.
With the completion of trial runs, the second unit stands commissioned and its capacity now stands included in the total installed capacity of NTPC Group.
The NTPC Group (NTPC standalone along with subsidiaries and joint ventures) now has installed capacity of 65,810 mw. On a standalone basis (excluding subsidiaries and JVs), NTPC’s capacity is 52,385 mw.
The Nabinagar power plant located in Majhiawan village of Nabinagar taluka in Aurangabad district, Bihar, is owned by Nabinagar Power Generation Company Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC Ltd.
The Nabinagar power plant is equipped with three supercritical coal-fired power units of 660-mw each. The first unit was commissioned in July 2019.
Suppliers
According to information available, the main plant suppliers to the project are: Alstom Bharat Forge Pvt Ltd (boilers) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (turbine generators). BHEL is also involved in supplying other project components like generator busducts, 400/132kV switchyard, electrostatic precipitators, HT switchgear package, etc.
Formerly a JV
Nabinagar Power Generation Company Ltd was incorporated as a 50:50 joint venture between NTPC and Bihar State Power Generation Company Ltd, a Bihar state government power utility. The JV was then called “Nabinagar Power Generating Company Pvt Ltd”.
In around May 2018, NTPC bought out Bihar government’s stake in the joint venture and converted into a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Also read: NTPC Sees Lesser Reliance On Imported Coal In FY21
NTPC’s acquisitions in Bihar
NTPC’s taking control of the Nabinagar power project was just one instance of the several acquisitions that the Central PSU undertook in Bihar, at that time.
NTPC took over the 720-mw Barauni thermal power station located in Bihar’s Begusarai district. The plant comprises of Stage-I (2×110-mw), which was in advanced stage of R&M, and Stage-II (2×250 mw) which was then under construction. (The first unit of Stage-II was subsequently commissioned on March 1, 2020.)
NTPC also acquired full control of Kanti Bijli Utpadan Nigam Ltd that owned the Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station (MTPS) (2×110 mw+ 2×195 mw) situated at Kanti, in Muzaffarpur district. The plant is currently under operation. KBUNL was incorporated as a joint venture between NTPC (equity stake: 72.64 per cent) and Bihar State Power Generation Company (27.36 per cent).
