Torrent Power Limited , a leading integrated power utility in India, has received approval to develop a massive 1,600 MW coal-based power plant in Madhya Pradesh. This project marks a significant expansion for the company and is set to become the single largest investment by the Torrent Group in the power sector.

Project Details

The project involves the construction of a greenfield 2x800 MW Ultra-Supercritical power plant, which will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Own, and Operate (DBFOO) model. Torrent Power secured this project through a competitive bidding process conducted by MP Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL).

Key aspects of the project include:

• Capacity: 1,600 MW (2x800 MW)
• Technology: Ultra-Supercritical, ensuring higher efficiency and lower carbon emissions
• Location: Madhya Pradesh
• Investment: Approximately ₹22,000.00 crore
• Power Purchase Agreement: 25-year contract with MPPMCL
• Tariff: ₹5.83 per kWh

Economic Impact

The project is expected to generate substantial revenue for Torrent Power, with estimates suggesting annual earnings of approximately ₹6,500.00 crore. This long-term agreement provides a stable income stream for the company over the next quarter-century.

Environmental Considerations

While the project is coal-based, Torrent Power emphasizes the use of Ultra-Supercritical technology, which is known for its higher efficiency and lower carbon emissions compared to conventional coal power plants. This aligns with the growing focus on reducing the environmental impact of thermal power generation.

Employment Generation

The project is anticipated to create significant employment opportunities:

• 8,000 to 10,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase
• 1,500 direct and indirect jobs during the operational phase

Strategic Importance

Mr. Jinal Mehta, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Torrent Power, highlighted the strategic importance of this project, stating, "This investment by Torrent Power will play a significant role in achieving GoI's ambitious target of 80 GW of additional coal-based capacity by 2032 to support the country's economic growth and for adding much needed base load capacity to stabilize the grid."

Torrent Power's Growth

With this new project, Torrent Power's total locked-in generation and pump storage capacity will increase to approximately 9.6 GWp and 3 GW respectively. This includes:

• 4.9 GWp of installed generation capacity
• ~3.1 GWp of under-development renewable projects
• 1.6 GW of thermal capacity
• 3 GW of pumped storage capacity

Project Timeline

The power plant is scheduled to be commissioned within 72 months from the date of execution of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). MPPMCL will arrange the required coal for the power plant under the SHAKTI Policy of the Ministry of Coal.

This project represents a significant step in Torrent Power's growth strategy and reinforces its position as a major player in India's power sector. The company's focus on using advanced technology for thermal power generation, while also expanding its renewable energy portfolio, demonstrates its commitment to meeting India's growing energy needs in a more sustainable manner.

Torrent Power Limited , a key player in India's energy sector, has marked a significant milestone in the country's transition to cleaner energy sources. The company recently inaugurated its Green Hydrogen Plant in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, a move that positions it at the forefront of India's green energy initiatives.

Plant Inauguration and Capacity

The plant was officially inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, underscoring the project's importance to the state's energy landscape. With an annual production capacity of 72.00 Tonnes Per Annum (TPA), this facility represents a substantial step towards integrating green hydrogen into India's energy mix.

Innovative Blending Technology

What sets this plant apart is its innovative approach to hydrogen utilization. The green hydrogen produced at the facility will be blended with natural gas in Torrent Gas' City Gas Distribution infrastructure, maintaining a concentration of up to 2.00%. This blended gas will then be supplied to domestic households, CNG stations, and industries in the region through existing natural gas pipelines.

Significance and Scale

The Gorakhpur plant holds several distinctions:

• It is the first Green Hydrogen plant in Uttar Pradesh.
• It represents the largest Green Hydrogen and Natural Gas blending project in India's City Gas Distribution sector.

Expanding Infrastructure

Torrent Gas, which has been authorized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to provide gas in Gorakhpur, Sant Kabirnagar, and Kushinagar districts, has already established a significant presence in the region:

• 32 CNG stations are operational
• Over 12,000 domestic households are being served
• 73 industries and commercial establishments are supplied with gas

The company plans to significantly expand its gas distribution infrastructure in the area.

Alignment with National Goals

This project aligns closely with India's National Green Hydrogen Mission 2030 and supports Uttar Pradesh's target of 1.00 mmtpa green hydrogen production. It demonstrates a practical approach to achieving the country's net-zero targets by:

• Lowering emissions
• Building demand for green molecules
• Creating a platform for deeper decarbonization in transport and industry sectors

Torrent Group's Commitment

Jinal Mehta, Director of Torrent Group, emphasized the company's commitment to India's energy transition, stating, "Torrent Group is committed to making a significant contribution in Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision for India's Energy Transition and National Green Hydrogen Mission."

Looking Ahead

The inauguration of this plant marks a crucial step in Torrent Group's long-term vision of establishing large-scale green hydrogen plants across the country. By blending green hydrogen into the existing gas grid, Torrent Power is not only reducing emissions but also creating a scalable pathway towards India's net-zero targets.

As India continues its journey towards cleaner energy sources, initiatives like Torrent Power's Green Hydrogen Plant in Gorakhpur serve as important milestones, showcasing how innovation, sustainability, and collaboration can work together to deliver clean energy solutions and pave the way for a more self-reliant future in the energy sector.