Andhra Pradesh Energy Dept. gearing up to set up two new thermal power plants of 800-MW each
The Andhra Pradesh Energy Department plans to build two new 800-MW thermal power plants to meet rising electricity demand and replace aging coal-based units. The project is estimated to cost ₹25,000 crore and will utilize efficient supercritical technology.
Why it matters
This initiative highlights the ongoing reliance on coal-based power in India's energy mix while attempting to modernize infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
The proposed 1,600 Megawatts thermal power capacity addition by the Energy Department to meet the twin objectives of catering to the State’s burgeoning demand for electricity and substituting them for the obsolete coal-based generation units is estimated to cost up to ₹25,000 crore.
The bidding process for the new projects, for which the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) gave its formal approval earlier this month, is set to commence soon.
According to a top official in the AP-Genco, two units of 800 MW each have been planned to be established instead of smaller ones, as thermal generating units with capacities exceeding 660 MW (supercritical) are being encouraged due to their efficiency, relatively less carbon footprint and other technical advantages. It is estimated that the establishment of an 800-MW unit costs between ₹12 and ₹15 per MW at current prices.
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