Bihar State PCS

• 02 Aug 2023

Barh NTPC's 4th Unit started, Bihar started getting 396 MW of Additional Power

Why in News?

On August 1, 2023, commercial power generation has commenced from the second unit of 660 MW of Stage-I of NTPC Barh Super Thermal Power Project. With this, according to the allocation fixed by the central government, 60% i.e. 396 MW of additional power supply has started coming to Bihar from this unit. The remaining power is being given to the States of Jharkhand, Odisha and Sikkim.

Key Points:

• The Executive Director of Barh Project Asit Dutta said that the work on the third and final unit of Barh Stage I is in progress and is likely to be completed by the next year.
• NTPC spokesperson Vishwanath Chandan said that with the commencement of commercial power generation from the second unit of Stage One of the Barh plant, the total power quota received by Bihar from the Barh plant has increased from 1526 MW to 1922 MW.
• Barh Super Thermal Power Plant is now generating a total of 2640 MW of commercial power through its four units of 660 MW, out of which Bihar has started getting 1922 MW power as per the quota. The construction of the Barh plant has cost more than 21 thousand crore rupees.
• Bihar's current power allocation from NTPC including six generation plants in Bihar has also increased from 6891 MW (including 300 MW solar power) to 7287 MW.
• It is worth mentioning that two units (Units 4 and 5) of 660 MW of the Barh Super Thermal Power Project of the second stage have been generating electricity since November 15, 2014, and February 18, 2016, respectively, while the first 660 MW unit of Stage One has been generating commercial power since November 2021.
• NTPC Regional Executive Director (East-1), DSGSS Babji said that at present NTPC has a commercial generation capacity of 9730 MW in six projects in Bihar with an investment of about Rs 80 thousand crore, while a capacity of 660 MW is under construction.
• NTPC ensures the supply of more than 90% of Bihar's average daily power demand, which is around 6,000 to 6,500 MW. With the addition of 660 MW additional generation capacity to the second unit of Stage 1 of the Barh plant, NTPC group's total installed capacity in the country has crossed 73,024 MW, including 89 power stations including 43 renewable and hydropower projects.