Environment Ministry clears 800 MW supercritical power unit in Yamunanagar
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has paved the way for a major power infrastructure upgrade in Haryana by recommending environmental clearance for the installation of a new 800 MW ultra-supercritical unit at the Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant (DCRTPP) in Pansara village, Yamunanagar.
Project highlights
Location: Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant, Pansara village, Yamunanagar
Capacity: 800 MW ultra-supercritical unit
Developer: Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited
Cost: Rs 6,900 crore
Contractor: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
Timeline: 57 months
How it will benefit
- Increased power supply for Haryana
- Job creation during and after construction
- Lower coal consumption, reducing electricity costs
The Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) will oversee the project, which is aimed at addressing the rapidly growing electricity demand in the state while creating employment opportunities.
“This ultra-supercritical unit will not only enhance power generation capacity but also reduce coal consumption, leading to cheaper electricity production,” said Hitesh Garg, Executive Engineer, HPGCL.
The new unit will expand the existing 600 MW coal-based thermal facility at DCRTPP. The project has been awarded to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at an estimated cost of Rs 6,900 crore, with completion expected within 57 months.
According to Virender Singh Punia, Regional Officer of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), the HPGCL will apply for consent to establish (CTE) after receiving the official environmental clearance. "The clearance documents are critical for initiating the construction process," he added.
In July 2024, a public hearing chaired by Deputy Commissioner Capt Manoj Kumar was held, where residents from 15 nearby villages, including Pansara, Rattanpura and Kalanaur, raised objections, suggestions and demands as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process. The thermal plant's land had been acquired years ago, with the first 300 MW unit becoming operational in April 2008.
Once operational, the supercritical unit is expected to be a game-changer for Haryana's power sector, offering both enhanced efficiency and environmental benefits.
