Article - Govind Patel, Manager (Public Relations), Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company

 Chhattisgarh achieved a new milestone in the history of energy production when Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel decided to set up a new power plant of 1320 MW on August 25. In fact, this is a historic decision which has added a new dimension to Chhattisgarh. After this decision, it has now become a zero power-cut state which could remain so for many years. This decision is also historic because it will be the largest and most modern plant of Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company. Now, Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company has a power generation capacity of 4300 MW.

        Chhattisgarh is the first state in the country, which is known for the Zero Power Cut state. Here consumers are getting 24x7 power supply. Energy consumption is considered to be the biggest indicator of the progress of any region. Energy consumption is increasing rapidly in Chhattisgarh. At the time of the establishment of the state, where per capita energy consumption was 300 units, today it has increased to 2044 units. Keeping in view the demand for energy in future, the state government has taken many major and historic decisions.

Following the instructions of the Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, work has started on preparing an action plan for setting up two supercritical new power generation plants of 660 MW each in Korba West under the Power Generation Company. An expenditure of Rs.12915 crore is estimated for the construction of this plant. Both these units are set to be completed in the financial years 2029 and 2030. For the first time after the establishment of the state, a power plant of such capacity is being set up. This shows the foresight of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel.

The land of Chhattisgarh has immense mineral resources. Chhattisgarh is third in the country in terms of coal reserves. These natural resources are being used in power plants across the country. But the residents of Chhattisgarh do not get its benefit. If industries related to mineral resources are established here, then the people of this place get direct benefits from it.

The cabinet has taken another major decision in the field of generating electricity from water. Chhattisgarh State Hydroelectric Project (Pump Storage Based) Establishment Policy 2022 has been approved in the cabinet. In the existing hydropower plants, rainwater is collected in the dam and electricity is generated by passing it through the turbine. In this old technique, water is used only once.

At present, a new ‘pumped storage’ based hydroelectric power project has been prepared, in which the same water can be used multiple times. In this technique, a configuration of two water reservoirs at different elevations that can generate power as water moves down from one to the other (discharge), passing through a turbine. The system also requires power as it pumps water back into the upper reservoir (recharge). The recharge process can be done using renewable sources of electricity generated from solar energy during the daytime and electricity will be generated by dropping it in the turbine at night. PSH acts similarly to a giant battery because it can store power and then release it when needed. This water will be collected again in the dam. In this way, the same water can be used again and again.

The Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company is preparing a detailed action plan for the establishment of pumped storage hydroelectric powerhouses at five such places in the state. 7700 MW of electricity can be generated at these five places. An MoU has been signed on November 29 with the central government agency WAPCOS (Water and Power Consultancy Services Limited) to prepare the DPR. Chhattisgarh State Hydroelectric Project (Pumped Storage Based) Establishment Policy 2022 was approved in the cabinet meeting held on September 6 under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to encourage investment in the establishment of pumped storage-based hydropower projects in the state.

With these two decisions, new employment opportunities will be created for the people of Chhattisgarh. Right from the establishment of the plant to its operation, thousands of people will get direct employment. This plant will be set up with state-of-the-art technology, which will produce very less pollution during operation. This will meet the increasing demand for energy in future. This decision will boost the industrial as well as the agricultural sector which in turn will boost the economy of the state. This decision will be a milestone for Chhattisgarh in the future.