SAGARDIGHI – A NEW LAUNCHING PLATFORM OF WBPDCL FOR 3x500 MW UNITS

      SAGARDIGHI - A NEW LAUNCHING  PLATFORM OF WBPDCL FOR 3x500 MW COAL BASED THERMAL UNITS                                                                         

      Forward: 2x300 MW Coal Based Thermal Units 1 & 2 was conceived long back in March 2004 for   implementation by West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited in Phase I of Sagardighi Thermal Power Project. The Main Plant Package (Boiler-Turbine-Generator & Auxiliaries) of these two 300 MW Units was the first of its kind constructed by a Chinese EPC Contractor M/s Dongfang Electric Corporation in India. Apart from Main Plant Package, Coal Handling Plant was constructed by M/s McNally Bharat Engineering Limited and Water Intake & Plant Water System by M/s Larsen & Toubro Limited; whereas the Railway infrastructure for transportation of Coal & Light Diesel Oil was constructed by none other than RITES, the sister concern of Indian Railways. Further, 400 kV LILO (loop in loop out) line was constructed, erected  and commissioned with 400 kV Double Circuit Farrakka-Subhasgram high voltage state/regional transmission line by the nationally famous M/s Power Grid Corporation of India Limited for evacuation of power from Sagardighi TPP 220/400 kV Switchyard.

      Built at a completed capitalized cost of Rs. 2750 Crores with substantial financial assistance from Power Finance Corporation, the 1^st 300 MW capacity Unit of Sagardighi TPP was synchronized on December, 2007 followed by the 2^nd Unit on July, 2008; subsequently, the Commercial Operation of the said Units 1 & 2 were declared by WBPDCL on September, 2008 and November, 2008 respectively for uninterrupted generation of power.

Both the Units were dedicated to the Nation by the then Hon’ble Chief Minister in 2008.

During 2009 - 2010 time span both the 300 MW capacity Units were continually in the bus; the Plant has achieved its maximum PLF (Plant Load Factor) around 93% in the month August, 2010. Since declaration of COD, the Units are performing satisfactorily with high Plant Load Factor (PLF); adequate coal supply is the key factor.  

Capacity Addition in 12^th Plan: To mitigate ever rising demand of power in the State, WBPDCL has conceived installation of higher capacity coal based Units 3 & 4 (2 x 500 MW) at Sagardighi Thermal Power Project Phase II for implementation during 12^th Plan Period (2012-17) with state of the art technology and better unit heat rate i,e, less heat input for generation of 1 kWh energy. Accordingly, Development Consultants Private Limited (DCPL) was appointed as Consultant of the Project. DCPL prepared the Tender Specifications and then global tender for Main Plant Package was invited from prospective bidders in the last year for the installation of 2 x 500 MW Units # 3 & 4 at Sagardighi Phase II. In course of tender finalization process necessary clearances could be received from State/Union statutory authorities including WBERC in particular for an atypical situation like single price bid submitted by BHEL only. Comfort level of WBPDCL is high as PFC has already granted substantial financial assistance for this 2 x 500 MW Project as requested by WBPDCL. The only one bid of BHEL was opened who quoted high around 3.9 Crore per MW. Negotiations were held first with BHEL then collectively with CEA for finalization of the price based on national level bench mark compared to similar Package with similar scope of work ordered by other utilities like DVC/NTPC in the past. In the last negotiation meeting at the chamber of the Chairperson, CEA on January 25, 2011 the price could be reduced and freeze at 3.22 Crore per MW which was later concurred by WBERC. Ministry of Power, GoI has granted the Project with Mega Power Project status for availing “Tax Holiday”. As a result, the completed project cost is likely to be on lower side. Letter of Awards for Main Plant Package were issued in favour of BHEL on February, 2011 and they are working on fast pace to achieve agreed milestones with a target date of Completion of the Project by March, 2015. Of late, Letter of Awards for Coal Handling Plant Package, Twin Flue Chimney and Natural Draft Cooling Tower have been placed in favour of renowned and established Local Contractors like McNally Bharat, Gammon and Paharpur Cooling Tower respectively through International Competitive Bidding for availing “Tax Holiday”. Since the Gestation Period of Other Packages are much more less compared to Main Plant Package, the ordering of balance Packages like Intake Water & Plant Water System, Ash Handling Plant, Technical Building are likely to be issued in phases through International Competitive Bidding as per float in LEVEL-1 Network and it is expected that their completion may be well synchronized with Main Plant Package lying in the critical path of 48 months. 

Phase - III Project: WBPDCL has also conceived installation of another 500 MW coal based Unit 5 at Sagardighi Thermal Power Project for implementation during 12^th Plan Period (2012-17) with state of the art technology and better unit heat rate i,e, less heat input for generation of 1 kWh energy. Accordingly, Development Consultants Private Limited (DCPL) has been appointed as Consultant of the Project. DCPL has already prepared the Draft Detailed Project Report. Necessary actions have been initiated for obtaining statutory clearances from State/Central Government Agencies. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA/REIA) Study of Phase - III Unit 5 (1x500 MW) is likely to be taken up soon by WBPDCL. However, mandatory common facilities for Unit 5, like Coal Handling Plant and Intake Water & Plant Water System have already been taken up concurrently during the implementation of Phase - II Units 3 & 4 including interfacing of identified areas of respective Main Plant Packages of the said two Phases with an objective to retain the estimated project cost of Unit 5 at a lower side.   

Posted by Debabrata Dey on 12 July, 2012