Haldia Power Facility Demonstrates Operational Excellence

haldia-power-plant
Image Credits: tatapower.com

Tata Power’s Haldia Power facility has recently surpassed industry standards for Auxiliary Power Consumption (APC) and Plant Load Factor (PLF). The plant, located in East Midnapore, West Bengal, has achieved a PLF that is 34% higher than the national thermal plant average, showcasing exceptional capacity utilization.

Situated on the northern bank of the Hooghly River in East Midnapore, West Bengal, Tata Power’s Haldia plant is strategically positioned within the Hindustan Fertilizer Company (HFC) premises. The plant, adjacent to the Haldi River on its north-west side, operates in close proximity to Tata Steel’s 1.6 MTPA capacity coke oven plant installation.

The nearest village, Durgachak, is approximately 2 km away from the site. The location is well-connected by rail and road, facilitating easy access to Kolkata and Kharagpur via Mecheda. Additionally, connectivity to Kolkata is available through Kukrahati.

Tata Power-Haldia is the first private generator to receive clearance from West Bengal (WB) for Open Access sale of power. The energy produced is seamlessly integrated into the 132Kv network of West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd (WBSETCL) at the Tata Power-Haldia switchyard.

This switchyard is interconnected with the 132kv substation at Chiranjibpur, further linked to the Power Grid network at Kolaghat through a 220 kv substation. The generated power is then distributed through open access to TPTCL.

The current configuration of the Haldia plant includes two units with a capacity of 45MW each and one unit with a capacity of 30 MW. This setup not only demonstrates Tata Power’s mission to innovative power generation but also highlights its strategic positioning within the larger energy distribution network.

The collaboration and backing from key stakeholders, with Tata Steel playing a pivotal role, have played a critical role in improving process parameters and addressing challenges, such as elevated fuel gas temperatures, encountered in the Haldia Power Project by Tata Power. The division’s notable achievements in PLF and APC reflects its vision to optimize operational energy output and establishing robust industry benchmarks.

Haldia Power Plant has also demonstrated a vision to sustainability through various achievements. The plant has achieved a milestone in water conservation by showcasing the lowest monthly specified water consumption, underscoring its dedication to efficient water management.

Environmental compliance and safety standards have been a top priority for the plant, evident in its five-year renewal of environmental compliance certificates, reflecting its commitment to the highest environmental safety standards.

Implementing innovative best practices has been a hallmark of Haldia Power Plant’s operations. The use of high-performance M/s Brentwood AccuSpray Nozzles and strategic interventions like cold-end corrosion prevention and boiler efficiency optimization demonstrate the plant’s continuous commitment to improvement.

A significant reduction in Auxiliary Power Consumption has been achieved through the replacement of CT fans’ GRP blades with high-efficiency FRP blades, showcasing the plant’s focus on efficiency and sustainability.

Water conservation initiatives, including the implementation of sodium molybdate dosing, further emphasize Haldia’s commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management.

Corrosion protection measures have been implemented through the replacement of raw water pipelines with an internal corrosion-resistant coating, ensuring constant protection against fluid-induced corrosion and abrasion.

In addition to its operational achievements, Haldia Power Plant has actively contributed to knowledge sharing and collaboration within the industry. In August 2023, the plant collaborated with Electro Steel Ltd to share knowledge through in-depth technical discussions, aimed at mutual learning and implementing best practices.

Aligned with Tata Power’s vision of “Sustainable is Attainable,” the Haldia Power Project, as a waste heat recovery plant using coke oven gases, contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.