BHEL to set up 400 MW coal gas-based power project

Mumbai: Power equipment major Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) will set up a 400 MW power plant based on the coal-to-gas conversion technology as part of the efforts to promote eco-friendly power generation projects in the country.

BHEL has also proposed to set up a 125 MW integrated gasification combined cycle technology demonstration project, in association with the public sector National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC).

BHEL is already running a 6.2 MW IGCC demonstration plant at its Trichy unit in Tamil Nadu.

The 125 MW project, estimated to cost Rs 900 crore, would be set up near NTPC's Auraiya gas-fired power plant in Uttar Pradesh. BHEL would commission the project while NTPC would own and operate it.

"We have submitted a feasibility report and are awaiting approvals for the 125 MW IGCC project. Simultaneously, we are also preparing a blueprint for a 400 MW IGCC plant that would be run on commercial basis," BHEL chairman and managing director AK Puri said.

Under IGCC technology, coal is converted into gas, which is fed into turbines for generating electricity. The exhaust gases from the turbines are used to generate steam, which is again used to produce power.

One of the most promising clean coal technologies in power generation, IGCC reduces air pollution and also gives higher thermal efficiency (more electricity per tonne of coal) than conventional plants.