India to develop, install coal-fired ultra super-critical plant by 2017
24 Jan 2011
Kalpakkam: India's first 800 MW coal-fired Advanced Ultra Super-critical (AUSC) power plant will be operational by 2017, according to a senior official of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR). The indigenously developed technology will help reduce operational costs and emit less carbon dioxide than existing similar units.
The advanced technology plant is a joint effort of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).
The AUSC will have five per cent more efficiency than existing thermal plants and consume 12 per cent less coal reducing overall carbon dioxide emission. This was stated by Dr SC Chetal, director, Reactor Engineering Group of IGCAR and a distinguished scientist.
"At present there is no AUSC plant operating in the world and we will back the first indigenous AUSC with strong R&D with IGCAR's expertise in design, materials and manufacturing technologies of the fast breeder reactor," Chetal said.
He also revealed that a presentation of the project had already been made to the prime minister and it was expected that clearance would soon be received for R&D funds.
It is expected that of the total project cost of Rs7000 crore, Rs2,500 crore would be spent on research and development and setting up required facilities for the project.