1050 MW Maithon Power Project (Phase I)
The 1050 MW Maithon Thermal Power Project is the first Greenfield project undertaken by
Tata Power since the inception of Trombay Thermal plant almost six decades ago. This project
is a true example of public-private partnership. TATA POWER-the largest private owner utility
in the country joined hands with Damodar Valley Corporation-a multipurpose power and
irrigation control undertaking of Govt.Of India, Govt.Of West Bengal and Govt.Of Jharkhand
to bring up a project which brings out the best in each of them.
A decision was made to build the power plant on a site measuring 1100 acres which sits on
the right bank of river Barakar in the Dhanbad District of Jharkhand. The site is well
connected by National Highway 2 and is located on the rail network of Howrah-Mugal Sarai
grand cord line of Eastern Railways. More importantly , coal is widely available in Jharkhand
and its neighboring states which give good economics to the pithead plant. Hence, it was
proposed for a 1050MW Thermal power plant to be fired by coal on the selected site. The
name of the selected area is Maithon, which means ‘Mother’s Abode’ in the local Adivasi
language.
1050 Maithon Phase-I Power Project
Project Location
General Information
Name Maithon Power Limited
Constitution Public Limited Company
Promoters The Tata Power Company Limited (74.00%) and Damodar
valley Corporation (26.00%).
Sector Power Generation
Project(s) Site Location Right bank of the river Barakar, Nirsa – cum – Chirkunda
block, District Dhanbad, Jharkhand
Project(s) Capacity 1050 MW (2 X 525 MW)
Salient Features
The Project includes 2 Units of 525 MW each with total nominal capacity of 1050MW. The plant will use 4.864 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA) of domestic coal as fuel and 55 cusecs water from Maithon Reservoir. The project is 74:26 joint ventures between Tata Power and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). The Project Power will be evacuated through 400kV lines by PGCIL to benefit the States of Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, & Punjab.
India’s first public private partnership TATA Power: DVC 74: 26 at Maithon is committed to deliver quality power at most competitive price. It is the zero discharge plant at Maithon site.
Plant Capacity: Maithon Project was originally envisaged as a 4 x 250 MW or a 3 x 350 MW
thermal power plant. However, the Ministry of Power, Government of India (MoP) while
approving Tata Power as joint venture partner in MPL had requested Tata Power and DVC to
examine alternative unit size of 2 x 500 MW units. MPL invited bids for 4X250MW, 3X350 MW
and 2X500 MW configuration and based on the past performance in other plants and the
advantages in terms of operational parameters (heat rate, area & staff requirements) has
chosen 2 X 525 MW configuration as it is technically more acceptable as compared to a 2 X
500 MW.
Share Holders Project Equity
Tata Power: DVC 74 : 26
Debt :Equity 70 : 30
Power Evacuation Through 400kV Power grid Transmission links - Double circuit Maithon- Maithon line - Double circuit Maithon – Bokaro line
Power Purchase Agreements
DVC -300MW Punjab- PSEB- 300 MW Delhi- NDPL -300 MW West Bengal- WBSEB-150 MW
Coal Linkage 1.7 MTPA from BCCL – FSA executed. 1.9 MTPA from CCL- LoA Received
Water 55 cusecs from DVRRC, Maithon Reservoir
The BTG Package was executed by M/S BHEL. The other major Package Executors being:
M/S Simplex Infrastructures Pvt Ltd - General Civil Works
M/S L&T - Induced Draft Cooling Tower
M/S Tecpro Systems Ltd - Coal Handling System
M/S Macawber Beekay Pvt Ltd - Ash Handling System
M/S L&T -ENGP - Plant Electrical Systems
M/S BGR - DM Water Systems
M/S Voltas - LP Piping & PWS Electrical
Steam Generator: The BHEL Make steam generator (SG) is a pulverized coal fired SG
with assisted circulation and drum type design. The SG is of two pass type design, radiant,
single reheat, balanced draft, semi-outdoor type, rated to deliver superheated steam at
optimum pressure and temperature. The Specification for the Steam Generator are as
follows:
Rated Steam Flow - 700T/Hr
Boiler Design Pressure - 210Kg/cm2
Super heater outlet pressure - 191.3Kg/cm2
Super heater outlet temperature - 540°C
Re-heater outlet temperature - 540°C
Total Heating Surface Area - 50800m2
Steam Turbine: The BHEL Make steam turbine generator (STG) is rated for 525 MW
maximum continuous output at generator terminals. Steam turbine is a three cylinder reheat,
extraction and condensing turbine. The specification for the Steam Turbine is as follows:
Gross Power Output - 525MW
(At 100% TGMCR)
Turbine Cycle Heat Rate - 1962 Kcal/Kwh
(At 100% TGMCR) Maximum Load - 546.7MW
(Under VWO Condition)
HP Turbine - Single Flow,17 Reaction Stages
IP Turbine - Double Flow,12 Reaction Stages per flow
LP Turbine - Double Flow,6 Reaction Stages per flow
Challenges Faced: Flavor of Maithon Green Field Project
Maithon Project can be a perfect example of the challenges to be faced in a Greenfield
Project. The majority of the local mass in Maithon Consisted of Farmers and farm workers
whose first reaction to the project was hugely negative in the initial stages of the project.
They were also incited by the local politicians with vested interests to protest against the
project. This resulted into mass protests at site including forced and fierced resistant even up
to the extent of attacking MPL Employees. “Band-Pradarshan & Dharna”, Road & Gate
Blockage , Threatening to the Contractors etc were a common phenomenon witnessed and
challenges faced by the Maithon Project during its entire construction phase. The Security
Team along with the entire Team Maithon had a tough time overcoming the local protests.
Protest by the local villagers and security on High alert.
Agitation & Road Blockade by Villagers of Purni
Agitation by the PAP s
Procession and Strike called by the Villagers
Violent Protests leading Site Activities to a Halt
The battle was won by putting tireless efforts in coordinating and bringing harmony between
the project team and the local community. Key concerns, needs and expectations of the
villagers were focused upon and all efforts were made in winning the hearts of the local.
Frequent meetings were held amongst with the government officials & the various groups of
local villagers. R&R package acceptable to the locals were finalized and the interests of the
stakeholders were aligned for execution of the project.
Despite all odds and prevailing politically unstable conditions which also resulted into
insufficient support from the Govt. Officials , Maithon Project became the first successful
green field project of the Jharkhand State.
Journey Of Maithon Phase I Project (from Greenfield Project
to 2X525 MW Power Plant)
By Feb 2008, the land acquisition process was completed and an area of 1100 Acres was
acquired by DVC and handed over to MPL for the construction of the Project. The Ground
Breaking Ceremony (Bhoomi Poojan) was conducted at site where the villagers, authorities
and Officials from Tata Power & MPL came together to give the Project a Kick-start.
Project initiated with whole-hearted support from Villagers & Land Losers
Bhoomi Poojan being performed by local Villagers Local Daily reporting the news
Maithon Bhoomi Poojan
Commencement of Site works in Mar’08
Curious Locals watching machinery at work
Excavation Job under Progress
Site Infrastructure in the initial Phase Of Project
Temporary Arrangement For First-Aid at site
First Porta-Cabin At site
Job Progress in 2008
Erection Of First Boiler Column
ESP#1 Column Erection Started
TG I Raft
Chimney Raft
Progress Review At Site
Job Progress in 2009
Unit#1 Boiler Drum Erection
Job Progress in 2010
BTG Area
Raw Water Intake Area
Job Progress in 2011
Unit#1 Steam Blowing under progress
Unit Synchronisation
Unit on Full Load
Maithon………As of Now!
During the project, members of the execution team had to face numerous setbacks and
challenges on many occasions. With consistent efforts and hard work put together into the
Project by all the Stakeholders, the TATA POWER’S Greenfield Power Project got finally
transformed into 2X525 MW Power Plant.
Unit#1 (525 MW)
: Synchronization on 28th March 2011
: Full Load on 30th June 2011
: COD on 1st Sept 2011
Unit#2 (525 MW)
: Synchronization on 17th March 2012
: Full Load on 23rd March 2012
: COD on 24th July 2012
Raw Water Intake
IDCT and CW Pump House
400KV Switchyard
Stacker-Cum- Reclaimer
View In Front Of Technical Building
Maithon Power: View across Barakar River