Raigarh. (13:04): On April 12, 2024, in a traditional Vedic ceremony, Akhilesh Singh, the project head of NTPC Lara, Pusaur, inaugurated the construction work for the second phase of the 1600 MW expansion project. This phase involves the construction of two new units (800×2) as part of the NTPC Lara expansion. Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited has been awarded the contract for this project.
The two new units, with a total cost of Rs 15,529.99 crore, are scheduled to be commissioned within 48 and 52 months from the date of contract award. While the existing two 800 MW units at Lara are based on supercritical technology, the new units will be equipped with ultra-supercritical technology, making them 1 percent more efficient than the existing units, with an efficiency of 41.5 percent.
Increased efficiency means generating electricity with lower fuel costs, making it more environmentally friendly due to reduced coal consumption. Fuel for the NTPC Lara station is supplied from the Talaipalli coal mine, allowing the Lara project to provide electricity at significantly lower prices compared to other power plants in the western region.
The transportation of coal from Talaipalli to the NTPC Lara station is facilitated by a 65 km long electric-powered merry-go-round system, NTPC’s first of its kind. This system ensures minimal environmental impact as it passes through rivers, mountains, and forests, with measures in place to protect the environment and wildlife.
NTPC Lara supplies 50 percent of the power generated to the state of Chhattisgarh and the remaining half to the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, as well as the RVM Union Territory. Additionally, NTPC Lara contributes to nation-building efforts through various development projects in associated villages, Raigarh district, and Chhattisgarh state. These projects focus on education, healthcare, drinking water, and infrastructure development, carried out under the company’s corporate social responsibility and community development initiatives.
