NTPC- Simhadri thermal station is doing exceedingly well and ranking 17 among the leading power projects with a plant load factor of 80.66 per cent, according to Group General Manager P.K Bondriya.
He said in an interview that the power station with an installed capacity of 2000 MW, comprising 4x500 MW units, supplies power to all southern states at optimum efficiency.
He said the plant was earning accolades for its efficient environmental management and spending of funds under corporate social responsibility projects in the vicinity of the plant. Despite location of the plant almost 1,000 km away from Mahanadi Coalfields – from where it gets the bulk of its coal requirement -- the plant was maintaining a good PLF, he added.
He said there was significant improvement in coal availability in recent times. The annual requirement varies from 80 to 85 lakh tonnes. At present, Simhadri has agreements for supply of 20 lakh tonne from Singareni Coalfields and 15 lakh tonne from Eastern Coalfields. It gets six to eight rakes from Mahanadi Coalfields.
He said Simhadri was recognised in the industry for adopting the state-of-the-art technology and generating power at optimum efficiency.
As part of CSR activities, NTPC-Simhadri was collaborating with the State Forest Department for conservation of Olive Ridley turtles as well as afforestation across the State, he said.