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Fly ash utilisation by Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), the only state owned thermal power producer is one of the lowest among all generating utilities across the country, according to a report by Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
In 2012-13, OPGC's fly ash utilisation was a meagre 16.24 per cent compared to the national average of 61.37 per cent. In 2011-12, OPGC had used 16.74 per cent of the fly ash generated by its coal-fired station at Banharpalli near Jharsuguda.
Sterlite Energy, an independent power producer (IPP) operating its 2400 Mw thermal power station at Bhurkamunda near Jharsuguda, has improved its fly ash utilisation tally from 21.23 per cent in 2011-12 to 50.94 per cent in 2012-13.
The 460 Mw Talcher Thermal Power Station in Odisha owned by NTPC Ltd clocked a fly ash utilisation of 100 per cent both in 2011-12 and 2012-13. However, fly ash utilisation by the maharatna company's 3000 Mw Kaniha unit was much lower at 37.91 per cent in 2012-13.
The CEA report says thermal power stations in Odisha generated 11.6 million tonne of fly ash in 2012-13 of which 45.34 per cent was utilised as against 34.01 per cent in 2011-12.
All states with the exception of Bihar (22.72 per cent), Chhattisgarh (38.22 per cent) and Haryana (37.57 per cent) score over Odisha in fly ash use.
The CEA report covers 64 power generating utilities in 17 states.
In 2012-13, 17 power utilities have achieved fly ash utilisation level of 100 per cent while 13 utilities have recorded utilisation in the range of 75-100 per cent.
Tamil Nadu tops the list with a fly ash utilisation of 103.52 per cent followed by Rajasthan (98.55 per cent) and West Bengal (92.63 per cent).
Out of 17 states covered in the report, seven have generated more than 10 million tonne of fly ash during 2011-12 and 2012-13. Uttar Pradesh generated the most of fly ash in excess of 20 million tonne in the two years.
The major modes of fly ash utilisation include cement manufacturing (41.18 per cent), reclamation of low lying area (11.78 per cent), roads & embankments (six per cent), concrete (1.03 per cent), ash dyke raising (10.89 per cent), mine filling (10.30 per cent), bricks & tiles (9.94 per cent), agriculture (2.49 per cent) and others (6.39 per cent).
