Short essay on the Power Corporation of India

National Thermal Power Corporation

The National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), New Delhi, was set up in 1975 as a Central sector power generating company for the development of thermal power.

NTPC has an approved capacity of 22,955 MW and an installed capacity of 19,425 MW representing about 27.5 per cent of the all-India thermal capacity.

At present, NTPC has to its credit 13 coal-based thermal power projects and seven gas/liquid-fuel based combined cycle projects. The Corporation has successfully commissioned super thermal power projects at Singrauli, Rihand, Dadri (UP), Korba, Vindhyachal (MP), Ramagundam (AP), Farakka (WB), Kahalgaon (Bihar), Talcher, Kaniha (Orissa) and seven combined cycle gas power projects at Anta (Rajasthan), Auraiya, Dadri (UP), Kawas and Gandhak (Gujarat), Kayamkulam (Kerala) and Faridabad (Haryana). In addition, the Corporation has taken over the 420 MW station at Unchahar (UP) (further added stage-II of 420 MW to the commissioned capacity of the project), 460 MW station at Talcher (Orissa) and 440 MW station at Tanda (UP).

NTPC is in the process of implementing Talcher Kaniha-II TPP (2000 MW) in Orissa and Simhadri TPP (1000 MW) in A.P NTPC has also been entrusted with the management of 705 MW Badarpur Thermal Power Station (BTPS) in Delhi since 1978 and with the implementation and management of BALCOs 270 MW captive power plant near Korba (MP).

National Hydro-Electric Power Corporation.

The National Hydro-electric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) was set up in 1975 to promote the development of hydro-electric power in the Central sector in all its aspects including investigation, research, design, construction, operation and maintenance of hydro-electric power stations.

The Corporation has so far completed construction of eight hydro-electric projects in India, namely, Baira Siul (HP) 198 MW; Loktak (Manipur) 105 MW; Salal Stage-I 8c II (J 8c K) 345 MW each, Tanakpur (UP) 120 MW, Chamera Stage-I (HP) 540 MW, Uri (J 8c K) 480 MW and Gangu Stage-II (Sikkim) 60 MW These power stations with a total installed capacity of 2,193 MW are being operated and maintained by NHPC and generated 8,690.73 MUs energy during 1999-2000.

The Corporation has also constructed Devighat hydro­electric project (14 MW) in Nepal. NHPC is presently engaged in the construction of Dulhasti (J 8c K) 390 MV Chamera Stage-II (HP) 300 MW and Dhauliganga Stage- I (UP) 280 MW hydro-electric projects. It has also been assigned the construction of Kuruchi hydro-electric project (45 MW) in Bhutan and Kalpong hydro-electric project (5.25 MW) in Andaman 8c Nicobar Islands on agency basis.

The projects which are also proposed to be taken for construction are Koel-Karo (Bihar) 710 MWJ Teesta Stage-V (Sikkim) 510 MW, Loktak Downstream (Manipur) 90 MW and Parvati Stage- II (HP) 800 MW. The Corporation has also been identified as a neutral agency by the Ministry of Power for taking up construction of the Cauvery Projects. The Corporation also proposes to diversify into Wind Power, Mini/Micro Hydro projects and Geo- thermal Power.

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited

The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) was incorporated as a Government of India enterprise on 23 October, 1989. The mission is establishment and operation of regional and national power grids to facilitate transfer of power within and across the regions with reliability, security and economy on sound commercial principles. It has been declared a Mini-Ratna company.

Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd.:

REC was set up in 1969 with the object of providing financial assistance for rural electrification in the country. REC was declared a public financial institution in 1992. The company has financed for electrification of villages including tribal villages and ‘dalit basis’, energisation of pumping sets, provision of power for small agro-based and rural industries, light to households and streets.

Power Finance Corporation Ltd.:

EFC was set up in 1986. It was declared Public financial institution in 1990. Its aim is to finance power generation projects, transmission and distribution, renovation and modernization of Power plants.

North-Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited

The North-Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO), Shillong was set up in 1976 under the Companies Act with the objective of harnessing the power potential of the north-eastern region through planned development of power generation projects.

The projects under operation of the Corporation for all the States in the North-East are Kopili Stage-I (150 MW), Assam, Kopili Stage-I Extension (100 MW), Assam, Assam Gas Based Combined Cycle Power Project (84 MW), Tripura. The Corporation is also engaged in the execution of Ranganadi HE Project (405 MW), Arunachal Pradesh and Doyang HE Project, Nagaland (U-III).

NEEECO has also taken up the Tuirial HE Project (60 MW) and Kopili HE Froject Stage-II (25 MW) in Mizoram and Assam respectively. The Corporation also envisages taking up the Kameng HE Project (600 MW) in Arunachal Pradesh, Tipaimukh HE Project (1500 MW) in Manipur, Tuivai HE Project (210 MW) in Mizoram, Lower Kopili HE Project (150 MW) in Assam, Ranganadi HE Project stage-II (180 MW) in Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura Gas Based Project (500 MW) during the Ninth Plan period.

Nathpa Jhakri Power Corporation Limited

The Nathpa Jhakri Hydro-electric Power Project (NJHPP) was sanctioned in April 1989 for execution by the Nathpa Jhakri Power Corporation Limited (NJPC), Shimla, a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

The mission of NJPC is to plan, promote, operate and maintain Hydro­electric Power Projects in the Sutlej river basin in Himachal Pradesh. The project envisages harnessing the hydro power potential in the upper reaches of river Sutlej. On commissioning, the 1500 MW NJHPP will generate 6,700 MUs of electrical energy.

Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited

The Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) was incorporated on 12 July, 1988 as a joint venture of the Government of India and Government of Uttaranchal to execute the 2,00 MW Tehri Hydro Power Complex in Tehri Garhwal (Uttaranchal) and also to plan, promote and organize the development and harnessing of hydro­electric projects in Bhagirathi, Bhilangana valley.

The project will generate 6,500 Million Units of energy per year on completion of entire Complex (3,568 Million Units on completion of stage-I) and will provide additional irrigation facility to 2.07 lac ha besides stabilizing existing irrigation facility in to 6.04 lac ha of land.

The Project will provide drinking water facilities for Delhi and towns and villages of Uttaranchal and UP The 400 MW Koteshwar Project, a part of Tehri Power Complex, is scheduled to be commissioned in the year 2005.

The execution of the Project has been facing tough opposition from the environmentalists under the leadership of Sh. S.L. Bahuguna. Damodar Valley Corporation

‘A true copy of T.V.A. (Tennessee Valley Authority in U.S.A.), the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) the first multipurpose river valley project of the Government of India, was set up on 7 July, 1948 for the development of Damodar Valley region spread over the States of Bihar and West Bengal.

DVC aims at (i) controlling (ii) conserving (Hi) utilizing the water of the river Damodar and its tributaries for revolutionizing the economic landscape of the adjoining areas. Its objectives include flood control and irrigation, power generation and distribution, soil conservation, social and economic well-being of the people of Damodar Valley region.

DVC’s main projects include four dams at Maithon, Panchet, Tilaiya and Konar, with connected hydro-electric power stations (except at Konar), thermal power stations at Bokaro ‘A’, Bokaro ‘B’, Chandrapura, Durgapur, Mejia and also one gas turbine station at Maithon. DVC supplies power to coal mines, steel plants, railways and other big industries, besides state electricity boards of Bihar and West Bengal.

DVCs transmission system runs to a total length of 5,401 ckt km. The system is supported by 52 sub-stations. Interconnected with NTPC and Chukha DVC system operates as a constituent of the interconnected grid system of EREB. The total installed capacity of DVC in March 2000 was 2761.5 MW comprising 2,535 MW of thermal capacity, 144 MW of hydel capacity and 82.5 MW by gas turbine station.

Bhakra Beas Management Board

Bhakra Nangal Project is something tremendous, something stupendous, and something which shakes you up when you see it. Bhakra today is the symbol of India’s progress. -Nehru

The Bhakra Beas Management Board manages the facilities created for harnessing the waters impounded at Bhakra and Pong in addition to those diverted at Pandoh through the BSL Water Conductor system.

The Board is responsible for the administration, maintenance and operation at Bhakra Nangal Projects, Beas Project Unit I 8c Unit II including Power Houses and a network of transmission lines and grid sub-stations.

Geothermal Energy.

Use of geothermal energy has been demonstrated for small scale power generation and thermal applications. Geothermal potential for direct heat applications and also for power generation is being assessed.

Attempts are being made to develop suitable sites for utilization of geothermal energy for power generation. About 340 geothermal hot springs have been identified throughout the country for the purpose.

Ocean Energy.

The Ocean acts as a natural collector of solar energy. The temperature gradients, waves and tides contained by ocean can be used to generate electricity. However, with the present technological development, only tides can be harnessed for power generation.

A detailed project report is being prepared for the establishment of a 3 MW mini-tidal power project in Durgaduani Creek of Sunderbans area in West Bengal.

For harnessing wind energy C-WET, an autonomous body based at Chennai will serve as a focal point for wind power development. In addition nine regional offices have been set up at Ahmadabad, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Bhopal, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Patna.