NTPC Ltd's first ultra-mega power project (UMPP) of 4,000 MW, coming up at Kudgi in Bijapur district of Karnataka, is all set to award contracts for the first phase of 3 by 800 MW once it secures nod from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

“The investment for the Rs 15,166-crore phase-1 project has been approved, the tenders for the project have been shortlisted. Within days, we are expecting nod from the MoEF,” Mr R. Venkateswaran, Regional Executive Director, said.

Speaking to Business Line , Mr Venkateswaran said this is the first thermal plant in the South to deploy supercritical technology, and the first UMPP conceived by NTPC.

All the elements for the project have been tied up, with the Karnataka Government sanctioning 5.2 thousand million cubic ft from Almatti dam, about 18 km from the plant site. The coal for the project will be brought by rail from Mandraigarh Coal Fields of South Eastern Coalfields Ltd, about 1,700 km from the project site.

In this project, the company plans to blend imported coal procured from Goa with domestic coal. According to plans, the first unit is expected to be operational within 58 months from the date of contract and subsequent units six months thereafter.

> vrishi@thehindu.co.in

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