The Lara super thermal power plant located in Chhattisgarh, India is undergoing a phase two expansion to increase total capacity to 3.2GW.

The power plant is owned and operated by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). Unit one of the 1.6GW phase one started commercial operations in September 2019, while unit two is under advanced stage of commissioning.

NTPC submitted Terms of Reference (ToR) to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in May 2018 for development of the 1.6GW phase two.

The environmental impact assessment (EIA) for phase two is currently being prepared. NTPC will apply for environmental clearance, upon completion of the EIA.

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Lara super thermal power plant location

Lara super thermal power plant is located in Lara village south-east of Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh State of India. The total project area allocated for the project is 2,400 acres.

Lara super thermal power plant phase one development details

NTPC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Chhattisgarh in July 2009 for the development of the 4GW Lara super thermal power plant.

The power plant will consist of five 800MW units planned to be developed in different phases. The 1.6GW first phase is being constructed on 1,400 acres of land and includes two 800MW units.

The investment for phase one was approved in November 2012. The construction of phase one commenced after environmental clearance was received in December 2012.

Lara super thermal power plant phase two details

The phase two of the power plant comprises of two pulverised coal-fired units with a capacity of 800MW each. It will be equipped with a steam generator, turbine generator and auxiliaries, and electrostatic precipitator. Nox control and flue gas desulphurisation system and a 220m-high single stack- or 150m-high two stack chimney will also be part of the power plant.

The balance of plant (BOP) components include coal handling system, ash handling system, induced draft cooling towers, pulverising mills, water and effluent treatment system, transformers, and switchyard.

Water and coal supply for phase two

The phase two thermal power plant will require 1,680m3/hr of water, which will be sourced from Saradih barrage on River Mahanadi. The government of Chhattisgarh accorded approval for 45 million cubic metres (mcm) (5,137m3/hr) for phase one and 68mcm (7,763m3/hr) for phase two in 2011.

Coal required for the power station is estimated at seven million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) at 90% plant load factor (PLF). It will be sourced from Talaipalli coal mine located in Raigarh, which was allotted to NTPC in January 2013.

Coal will be transported through a dedicated Merry-Go-Round system, which connects the Kotarlia railway station with the thermal power plant.

Transmission infrastructure and power purchase agreement

The power generated from the super thermal power station will be evacuated through a 400kV quad double circuit transmission line to Champa pooling substation.

NTPC entered into a power purchase agreement with Madhya Pradesh State Power Trading Company Limited in November 2010 to supply the electricity produced by the plant.

Contractors

Vimta Labs, a consultancy, was engaged by NTPC to carry out the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the second phase of the power plant in October 2018.

VCC and RITES were engaged by NTPC to carry out route finalisation to connect the thermal power plant with the Talaipalli coal mine for coal transportation.

BGR Energy Systems and Hitachi supplied steam turbine generators for phase one.

NGSL, a joint venture of NTPC and GE, performed the civil works for unit two of phase one.

Doosan Power Systems India supplied two boilers for phase one of the project.

JSW Severfield Structures was subcontracted by Doosan to fabricate heavy boiler main and auxiliary columns, as well as secondary structures and bracings.