Doors will soon shut for the thermal power plant in Badarpur managed by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has approved the replacement of the coal-based unit with an eco-friendly gas-based power generation plant. This will also translate into more power for the city, as instead of the 600 mega watts (MW) of power being produced now, the upgraded gas-based plant will produce 2,000 MW, Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta said.
The plant accounts for nearly half of the Capital’s air pollution caused by power plants, emitting 5 mega million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, according to unofficial estimates. The central government transferred the plant to the NTPC in 2006 to operate on a lease basis after owning it for years.
“NTPC’s managing director has confirmed that they are willing to construct a new plant. It is a significant step towards achieving energy efficiency in Delhi,” Mehta said. Dikshit gave a go-ahead for the project two days ago, said power officials. The government will now officially request the Union Petroleum ministry to arrange for gas required to run the new plant.“The cost and timeline for the project are yet to be decided. For now, the new power plant looks to be a certainty,” a Power department official said.The government shut its fifth power unit — the coal-based Indraprastha power plant that produced 100 MW — earlier this year, saying its operations had become financially unviable.
Powering the Capital
* Delhi has 4 power plants
* City produces around 1,000 MW of power at present, less than quarter of its demand
* 60% of Capital’s requirement supplied by other states
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