PM dedicates NTPC’s Sipat Thermal Power Plant to the Nation

Giving a boost to the country’s energy generation programme, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today dedicated the state-run NTPC’s Rajiv Gandhi Sipat Super Thermal Power Station in Chhattisgarh to the nation. Dr Singh also laid the foundation stone of the Lara Super Thermal Power Project situated in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district through remote.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said that the coal based power station capable of generating 2980 MW of electricity will not only cater to the demands of Chattisgarh but also adjoining states like Madhya Pradesh and as far as Jammu and Kashmir. In the 11th five year plan, the country achieved a record power generation capacity of about 55000MW which was double the capacity added in the 10th plan period, the Prime Minister said. He also added that in the 12th Plan the Government has set a target of adding over 118000 MW of power generation.

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 13000 crore, NTPC has for the first time used the super critical technology in the Sipat plant. The Ministry of Power is now taking steps to encourage indigenous manufacturing of super critical technology. This is being done by inviting bulk tendering for manufacture of supercritical units. The 800 MW units of Lara thermal plant will be set up with the help of this process. Dr Singh said that in the 13th Plan, thermal plants based on only super critical technologies will be set up.

The Prime Minister disclosed that Advanced Ultra Super Critical Technology is now being developed in the country. He lauded the efforts of NTPC, BHEL and Indira Gandhi Centre for Nuclear Research for working together to develop this technology.

In his welcome address, the Minister of State for Power Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia said that power is central to the growth of any country and capacity addition is doing better year after year in the country. He said that new capacity generation in the year 2012-13 was 23000 MW which is a record. Praising the work done by the National Thermal Power Cooperation (NTPC) Shri Scindia said that it is not only a Maharatna in the country but also in the world. The minister further added that Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojna (RGGVY) under the leadership of the Prime Minister is a visionary plan which will bring light to every village and every household in the country.

Sri Scindia also stated that in the coming years Chhattisgarh will become the country’s electricity hub as the Government is planning to make investment of Rs 62,000 crore in the power sector in the state in various projects of generation, transmission etc.