NTPC-Simhadri here is setting up a 25 MW floating solar power plant in its water storage reservoir as part of the company’s efforts to diversify into the solar segment, according to AR Maiti, Group General Manager.

Addressing the media here on Friday, he said NTPC-Simhadri was also setting up a flue-gas desulphurisation plant (FGD) like the other thermal stations of the company.

Fly ash bricks

“We are encouraging many fly-ash based applications. A local researcher, Kalidas, has come up with the idea of nano-concrete housing using fly ash bricks. We are experimenting with it,” Maiti said.

He said NTPC-Simhadri had four units (500 MW each) and the plant was operating at 70.98 plant load factor (PLF) this year as against 67.2 per cent last year.

Maiti said the plant was getting coal from Talcher in Odisha and there were a few challenges in fuel supply and the unit was also importing coal and mixing it with the local variety to operate the plant.

He said NTPC-Simhadri was giving utmost importance to safety and the plant was divided into 15 safety zones and all safety measures were being taken. NTPC-Simhadri was also giving job-specific training to contract workers and paying them more than what it was statutorily obliged to do, he added.

CSR activities

Maiti explained the CSR activities of NTPC-Simhadri and how it was helping the local community. He also spoke about NTPC’s initiative in conservation of olive ridley turtles and other eco-friendly measures such as participating in the Green Visakha tree plantation programme.

For the oncology ward at King George Hospital, the main government hospital in Visakhapatnam, NTPC-Simhadri was contributing ₹5-6 crore of the ₹60 crore committed by various PSUs.

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