BHELs First Supercritical Thermal Unit at Barh adds 660 MW to Indias Power Generating Capacity

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved yet another milestone with its first supercritical set of Barh Thermal Power Project (TPP) Stage II Unit 4 in Bihar attaining full load of 660 MW on 30th November 2013. This is a significant event in India’s power generating capacity addition programme.

The commissioning of the unit has not only demonstrated BHEL's preparedness in setting up supercritical thermal power projects but has also reinforced the company’s leadership status in supercritical thermal units involving supply of state-of-the-art equipment, suited to Indian coal and Indian conditions.

Notably, the supercritical steam parameters for this project viz. efficiency and heat rate are better than those of comparable supercritical projects presently under installation by others.

BHEL had bagged its maiden order for 660 MW sets with supercritical parameters from NTPC through International Competitive Bidding (ICB) for this 1320 MW project, located about 75 km from Patna. The order is a testimony to the customer's confidence in the company's capabilities and proven technological excellence.

BHEL's scope of work in the contract envisaged design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of two sets of 660 MW each, along with associated auxiliaries.

For the project, the key equipments have been manufactured by BHEL at its Haridwar, Trichy, Hyderabad and Bangalore works, while the construction of the plant was undertaken by the company’s Power Sector – Eastern Region, Kolkata.

BHEL is currently executing orders for supply and installation of 27 nos. of Steam Generators and 24 nos. of Turbines with supercritical parameters of 660 MW, 700 MW and 800 MW ratings.

In addition to Barh, the other major supercritical sets presently under execution by BHEL include 2x660 MW Mouda Stage- II & 2x800 MW Gadarwara of NTPC; 3x660 MW Nabinagar of NPGCL (Joint Venture of NTPC and Bihar State Electricity Board); 3x660 MW Bara TPP of the Jaypee Group; 2x800 MW Yeramarus of Raichur Power Corporation Limited; 1x700 MW Bellary of KPCL; 3x660 MW Lalitpur of the Bajaj Hindustan Group; 2x800 MW Krishnapatnam of APGenco; 2x660 MW Suratgarh of RRVUNL; 2x660 MW Ib Valley of OPGCL and 2x660 MW Raghunathpur of DVC.

BHEL has fully established state-of-art technology for the manufacture of thermal sets up to 1,000 MW rating, using Indian as well as imported coal.

BHEL is committed to the nation’s power development programme and has reaffirmed its commitment to the Indian Power Sector by equipping itself with contemporary technology, state-of-art manufacturing facilities and skilled technical manpower. The company has established capability to deliver power plant equipment of 20,000 MW per annum.