India's Major Ultra Mega Projects | Oxford Student ATLAS: Maps & Tests - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


India's Major Ultra Mega Projects
Introduction
Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) are an ambitious initiative undertaken by the
Government of India to address the growing energy demands of the nation. With
the goal of creating an additional capacity of at least 100,000 MW by 2022, the
UMPPs aim to bridge the existing power deficit. These projects, each with a
capacity of 4000 MW or above, are set to revolutionize the power sector in India.
In this article, we delve into the key features of UMPPs, their significance, and the
projects currently in the pipeline.
Powering the Future: Ultra Mega Power Projects
The UMPPs represent an expansion of the Mega Power Projects (MPPs) initiated
by the Government of India in the 1990s, which saw limited success. However,
with the introduction of UMPPs, the government seeks to overcome past
challenges and create large-scale power stations that will significantly contribute
to the energy requirements of the country.
Filling the Gap: Capacity and Investment
To meet the growing demand for electricity, each UMPP is designed with a
capacity of approximately 4000 MW. These mammoth projects require an
estimated investment of around $4 billion, showcasing the scale of the endeavor.
By leveraging the tariff-based competitive bidding route, using Super Critical
Technology, the UMPPs offer a viable solution to power generation and supply.
Sustainable and Efficient Energy Generation
The UMPPs in India are primarily coal-based projects, intended to utilize Super
Critical Technology. This advanced technology not only ensures higher fuel
efficiency but also leads to fuel-saving and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The
adoption of specified minimum Supercritical parameters provides flexibility in unit
size, further enhancing the efficiency of these power projects.
Integrated and Diversified Projects
Each UMPP is conceived as an integrated power project, encompassing various
aspects of power generation, including captive coal blocks for pithead projects.
Additionally, coastal projects leverage imported coal to meet their energy
Page 2


India's Major Ultra Mega Projects
Introduction
Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) are an ambitious initiative undertaken by the
Government of India to address the growing energy demands of the nation. With
the goal of creating an additional capacity of at least 100,000 MW by 2022, the
UMPPs aim to bridge the existing power deficit. These projects, each with a
capacity of 4000 MW or above, are set to revolutionize the power sector in India.
In this article, we delve into the key features of UMPPs, their significance, and the
projects currently in the pipeline.
Powering the Future: Ultra Mega Power Projects
The UMPPs represent an expansion of the Mega Power Projects (MPPs) initiated
by the Government of India in the 1990s, which saw limited success. However,
with the introduction of UMPPs, the government seeks to overcome past
challenges and create large-scale power stations that will significantly contribute
to the energy requirements of the country.
Filling the Gap: Capacity and Investment
To meet the growing demand for electricity, each UMPP is designed with a
capacity of approximately 4000 MW. These mammoth projects require an
estimated investment of around $4 billion, showcasing the scale of the endeavor.
By leveraging the tariff-based competitive bidding route, using Super Critical
Technology, the UMPPs offer a viable solution to power generation and supply.
Sustainable and Efficient Energy Generation
The UMPPs in India are primarily coal-based projects, intended to utilize Super
Critical Technology. This advanced technology not only ensures higher fuel
efficiency but also leads to fuel-saving and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The
adoption of specified minimum Supercritical parameters provides flexibility in unit
size, further enhancing the efficiency of these power projects.
Integrated and Diversified Projects
Each UMPP is conceived as an integrated power project, encompassing various
aspects of power generation, including captive coal blocks for pithead projects.
Additionally, coastal projects leverage imported coal to meet their energy
India's Major Ultra Mega Projects
requirements. This diversified approach ensures a reliable and sustainable power
supply across different regions of the country.
The UMPP Lineup
The Government of India has identified several sites for the development of
UMPPs. Here is a list of some of the prominent projects in different states:
Name of UMPP State
Bhedabahal Ultra Mega Power Project Odisha
Cheyyur Ultra Mega Power Project Tamil Nadu
Etah Ultra Mega Power Project Uttar Pradesh
Ghogarpalli Ultra Mega Power Project Odisha
Girye Ultra Mega Power Project Maharashtra
Kakwara Ultra Mega Power Project Bihar
Krishnapatnam Ultra Mega Power Project Andhra Pradesh
Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project Gujarat
Nayunipalli Ultra Mega Power Project Andhra Pradesh
Sakhigopal Ultra Mega Power Project Odisha
Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project Madhya Pradesh
Surguja Ultra Mega Power Project Chhattisgarh
Tadri Ultra Mega Power Project Karnataka
Tilaiya Ultra Mega Power Project Jharkhand
Notable UMPPs
Let's take a closer look at a few notable UMPPs:
1. Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project
Located on the coast of the Gulf of Kachchh in the Kachchh region, this project
was acquired by Tata Power through a competitive bidding process. The coastal-
based UMPP will utilize imported coal, primarily sourced from Australia, to meet
its energy needs.
2. Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project
Situated in eastern Madhya Pradesh, this pithead-based UMPP is owned by
Page 3


India's Major Ultra Mega Projects
Introduction
Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) are an ambitious initiative undertaken by the
Government of India to address the growing energy demands of the nation. With
the goal of creating an additional capacity of at least 100,000 MW by 2022, the
UMPPs aim to bridge the existing power deficit. These projects, each with a
capacity of 4000 MW or above, are set to revolutionize the power sector in India.
In this article, we delve into the key features of UMPPs, their significance, and the
projects currently in the pipeline.
Powering the Future: Ultra Mega Power Projects
The UMPPs represent an expansion of the Mega Power Projects (MPPs) initiated
by the Government of India in the 1990s, which saw limited success. However,
with the introduction of UMPPs, the government seeks to overcome past
challenges and create large-scale power stations that will significantly contribute
to the energy requirements of the country.
Filling the Gap: Capacity and Investment
To meet the growing demand for electricity, each UMPP is designed with a
capacity of approximately 4000 MW. These mammoth projects require an
estimated investment of around $4 billion, showcasing the scale of the endeavor.
By leveraging the tariff-based competitive bidding route, using Super Critical
Technology, the UMPPs offer a viable solution to power generation and supply.
Sustainable and Efficient Energy Generation
The UMPPs in India are primarily coal-based projects, intended to utilize Super
Critical Technology. This advanced technology not only ensures higher fuel
efficiency but also leads to fuel-saving and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The
adoption of specified minimum Supercritical parameters provides flexibility in unit
size, further enhancing the efficiency of these power projects.
Integrated and Diversified Projects
Each UMPP is conceived as an integrated power project, encompassing various
aspects of power generation, including captive coal blocks for pithead projects.
Additionally, coastal projects leverage imported coal to meet their energy
India's Major Ultra Mega Projects
requirements. This diversified approach ensures a reliable and sustainable power
supply across different regions of the country.
The UMPP Lineup
The Government of India has identified several sites for the development of
UMPPs. Here is a list of some of the prominent projects in different states:
Name of UMPP State
Bhedabahal Ultra Mega Power Project Odisha
Cheyyur Ultra Mega Power Project Tamil Nadu
Etah Ultra Mega Power Project Uttar Pradesh
Ghogarpalli Ultra Mega Power Project Odisha
Girye Ultra Mega Power Project Maharashtra
Kakwara Ultra Mega Power Project Bihar
Krishnapatnam Ultra Mega Power Project Andhra Pradesh
Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project Gujarat
Nayunipalli Ultra Mega Power Project Andhra Pradesh
Sakhigopal Ultra Mega Power Project Odisha
Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project Madhya Pradesh
Surguja Ultra Mega Power Project Chhattisgarh
Tadri Ultra Mega Power Project Karnataka
Tilaiya Ultra Mega Power Project Jharkhand
Notable UMPPs
Let's take a closer look at a few notable UMPPs:
1. Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project
Located on the coast of the Gulf of Kachchh in the Kachchh region, this project
was acquired by Tata Power through a competitive bidding process. The coastal-
based UMPP will utilize imported coal, primarily sourced from Australia, to meet
its energy needs.
2. Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project
Situated in eastern Madhya Pradesh, this pithead-based UMPP is owned by
India's Major Ultra Mega Projects
Reliance Power. It serves as a significant power generation asset for the region,
contributing to the overall energy infrastructure of the state.
3. Surguja Ultra Mega Power Project
Proposed to be located in the Sarguja district of northern Chhattisgarh, this
pithead-based UMPP faced challenges in obtaining environmental clearance. The
Ministry of Environment and Forests has refused clearance for the proposed
Hasdeo coal block, which was awarded for this project.
4. Girye Ultra Mega Power Project
Located in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, the southernmost district of
the state, the Girye UMPP is planned as a coastal-based project. It will rely on
mandatory imported coal to fulfill its energy requirements.
5. Tadri Ultra Mega Power Project
Positioned in the Karwar district of Karnataka, this coastal-based UMPP will
harness imported coal and seawater to generate power. The project showcases
the diversity of approaches adopted by UMPPs to cater to the unique needs of
different regions.
6. Cheyyur Ultra Mega Power Project
Situated 100 km south of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, the Cheyyur UMPP is another
coastal-based project. It aims to leverage imported coal as its primary fuel source,
ensuring a stable and efficient power supply to the region.
Conclusion
Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) are a testament to the Government of India's
commitment to addressing the nation's energy demands. These large-scale power
projects, utilizing advanced technologies and diversified approaches, are set to
revolutionize the power sector. With their significant capacity and efficient
operations, UMPPs will play a crucial role in bridging the energy gap and powering
India's growth.