Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has commissioned the first supercritical power generation unit at Barh, near Patna in Bihar. The project belongs to NTPC.

“The set attained full load of 660 MW on November 30,” a statement issued by BHEL. It demonstrated the company’s preparedness in setting up supercritical thermal power projects. The supercritical steam parameters for this project, that is, efficiency and heat rate are better than those of comparable supercritical projects currently under installation by others, the company added.

BHEL had bagged its maiden order for 660 MW sets with supercritical parameters from NTPC through international competitive bidding (ICB) for this 1320 MW project. The scope of work in the contract envisaged design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of two sets of 660 MW each, along with associated auxiliaries.

For the project, the key equipment have been manufactured by BHEL at its Haridwar, Tiruchi, Hyderabad and Bangalore plants, while the construction of the plant was undertaken by the company’s eastern region power sector unit at Kolkata. The company is currently executing orders for supply and installation of 27 Steam Generators and 24 Turbines with supercritical parameters of 660 MW, 700 MW and 800 MW ratings. The company can manufacture thermal sets up to 1,000 MW rating, using Indian as well as imported coal. Overall, it has a capability to deliver power plant equipment of 20,000 MW per annum.

>shishir.s@thehindu.co.in