Work on the country’s first and biggest integrated coal gassification combined cycle (ICGCC) power plant is likely to commence in June 2010. The Rs 2,500-crore plant will come up at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh and will be set up by three joint venture partners, with one of them being Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL).
AV Krishnan, executive director, BHEL- Tiruchirappali said the design for the 182 Megawatt plant was complete.
The other two partners include Department of Science and APGenco, a state-owned power generator in Andhra Pradesh. “While our share (one third) is by way of equipment, APGenco will provide land and the department of science will bring in finance,” said Krishnan.
A memorandum of understanding in this regard was signed in 2008.
The ICGCC technology basically converts coal into gas, which is fed into gas turbines. The gases that come out of the turbines are used to generate steam, which again is used to produce power.
This is said to be the cutting edge in clean coal technologies. It also gives higher thermal efficiency or more power per tonne of coal than conventional plants, he said.
Krishnan said the Tiruchi unit had gathered expertise in IGCC technology by running a 6.2 Mw demonstration plant for over 15 years now. But, it never showcased and publicised the achievements in the ICGCC area.
BHEL-PSSR turnover up 16%
The Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd power sector southern region (PSSR) registered a turnover of Rs 1,155 crore for the year ended March 31, 2010, as against Rs 995 crore in the previous year, an increase of 16 per cent.
Profit before tax was lower at Rs 74 crore as against Rs 181 crore on account of increase in input costs.
Projects with a total capacity of 21,703.5 Megawatt (Mw) were under execution, of which thermal would contribute 14,079 Mw, hydro 2,697.5 Mw, nuclear 2,940 Mwe and industrial/gas 1,987 Mw, said PR Shriram, executive director, BHEL-PSSR.
During the year, the company received new orders worth Rs 1,769 crore taking the total order book outstanding as on date to Rs 5,238 crore. The region added 2,400 Mw to the grid.
Shriram said “aligning with strategic plans, BHEL-PSSR is on track to achieve Rs 1,600 crore turnover by 2011-12.
