NTPC Vindhyachal @ Vindhyanagar

          NTPC Vindhyachal, located in Singrauli / Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh, is one of the biggest Thermal power plants if India. NTPC Vindhyachal, owned and operated by NTPC Limited is located on the North West bank of Rihand Reservoir (Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar) at Vindhyanagar in Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh. NTPC Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Project is currently generating 3760 MW (210 x 6 + 500 x 2 + 500 x 2 + 500) and will be adding up 1000 MW in the next few years and will qualify as a one of the biggest power projects in India. It has currently one of the biggest switch yards in ASIA. It could be compared with the Ultra Mega Power Projects built by Reliance, Essar and Adani. Renukoot Station is about 50 Km away from project site while Shaktinagar station is 10 Km away. Varanasi is the nearest major town 220 Km away connected by Road and railway link.

The Setting sun admist a backdrop of Stage IV of VSTPP

        The 210 MW units were built initially with the help of Russian support. Thereafter the 500 MW units were built up with the help of M/s BHEL. The initial years of commissioning of 210 MW units were a learning phase for Indians and M/s BHEL, thereafter the experience helped in the further expansion of power projects indegeniously. 

                     Laying the VSTPP foundation stone by the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi,    Courtesy: HR-PR

          Stage 2 comprising of 800 MW x 2 was supposed to be built up with the help of Russian support, but the disintegration of USSR in the 1990's did not help the cause, thereafter the plan was scrapped and it was built up as 500 MW x 2 with the help of BHEL. 

VSTPS is accredited with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. The 210 MW units were made with Russian support. A lot of renovation and Maintenance has taken place since then. ABB made Symphony Harmony DCS is installed there. The 500 MW units are BHEL made units of which 7 and 8 had ABB made Procontrol p13 DCs and Unit 9 and 10 are having Max DNA DCS by BHEL. 

       UNIT No                    CAPACITY                 COMMISSIONED ON

       STAGE 1--built with Russian support

       Unit -1                        210 MW                       October 1987

       Unit -2                        210 MW                       July 1988

       Unit -3                        210 MW                       February 1989 

       Unit -4                        210 MW                       December 1989

       Unit -5                        210 MW                       March 1990 

       Unit -6                        210 MW                       February 1991

       
       

       STAGE 2 
       Unit -7                        500 MW                       March 1999

       Unit -8                        500 MW                       February 2000          

       
       STAGE 3

One of the best maintained Stages, neat and clean and looks New. 

Panoramic view of Stage 3

       Unit -9                        500 MW                       July 2006

       Unit -10                      500 MW                       March 2007

       
     

Chimney construction at Stage 4 in Progress.

       STAGE 4
       Unit -11                      500 MW                       March 2013

       Unit -12                      500 MW                            2014

Chimney construction for stage 5 

The Civil construction work for Stage 5 is in full swing and is being executed by M/s L&T. Boiler and Turbine (SG and TG) packages are being supplied by M/s BHEL. M/s Yokogawa will be supplying the C&I package. The work is being executed is a very fast pace and its a good sign for the future. The boundaries of Admin block and CISF colony is being remarked to accommodate the new Power generating Unit.  

       STAGE 5
       Unit-13                       500 MW                Under Construction

       Boiler Light up: April 2015

Construction activity at Stage -5

 Contract Workers Patiently listening to the Safety Instructions at Stage 5

 Major Milestones of NTPC

-  Incorporated in 1975
-  First Plant of 200 MW Commissioned at Singrauli in 1982
-  10000 MW Installed Capacity achieved in 1990
-  Navratna Status bestowed in 1997
-  20000 MW Installed Capacity achieved in 2002
-  Construction Commenced for Hydro Power Project of Koldam in 2003
-  Year 2004: Listed in Stock Exchanges
-  Year 2004: Coal Blocks Allotted
-  Year 2005: Rechristened as 'NTPC Limited'
-  Year 2008: Gross Generation (Standalone) exceeded 200 BU's
-  30000 MW Installed Capacity achieved in 2009
-  Maharatna Status bestowed in 2010
-  Year 2011: Foray into Nuclear Power with JV formation with NPCIL
-  Year 2011: First Unit of 660 MW of Sipat Commissioned
-  Year 2012: JV in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka for Power Plant
-  Year 2012: First 800 MW Unit Awarded 

The image below depicts the layout of Vindhyachal thermal power plant and the coal mines namely Jayant, Nigahi and Kahdia. The close proximity of the coal mines reduces the transportation costs of coal and provides easy and regular supply of coal. The mines are controlled by Northern Coal Fields Limited (NCL) and are open cast in nature. Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Project (VSTPP) is geographically located at 240 04'57.85” - 240 06'19.30” N latitude and 820 38'34.01” - 820 41'28.80” E longitude. The water requirement of the project will is met from the cooling water discharge channel of Singrauli STPP.

NTPC Township is situated beside the Plant premises and comprises of 4 colonies namely NH1, NH2, NH3 and TTS (Temporary Township). Besides there are Clubs, Swimming pools, Russian Complex (Auditorium), Schools, Open Air theater, Playground, Temples and Lake Park which provide ample facilities for the inhabitants of the township.

          Beneficiary States from the Power generated at Vindhyachal Power Plant are Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Goa, Daman & Diu, Dadar Nagar Haveli. Stage 5 comprising of one unit of 500 MW will be having, state of the art Flue gas Desulfurization (FGD) unit as pollution control initiative. BHEL will be providing the FGD unit in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Engineering Industries Japan for manufacturing and supply of FGD system for the removal of sulphur Dioxide from flue gases.

Bird's Eye view of NTPC Vindhyachal

        I will be spending a large part of my service life in this project of NTPC at Vindhyachal. Hope that i will enjoy it to the fullest, and i would like to capture the beauty of this power plant and its township. The township of NTPC Vindhyachal is named as 'Vindhyanagar'.

Flowers strewn on the pavement....beside EDC vindhyanagar

Prabhat pheri's are organized to commemorate the Anniversary of VSTPP every year...Hope we will have lot more years to celebrate. Courtesy: HR-PR

         Courtesy: HR-PR

  Although everyone is expected to come and participate in the event bust most of the people are sleeping at this time of the hour. Since it is held early in the morning most of the youngsters are sleeping and only the old ones make it to the event. After the morning walk, delicious breakfast is served at Admin building comprising of Jalebis and Idly, Dosa. 

Mushrooms and Early morning Dew

           It feels refreshing to walk early in the morning, especially during the chilly winter mornings on grass covered with Dew. I took this beautiful super macro shot on the hockey ground near stadium. The dew drops are very fine and present a fascinating image.

          I took a number of shots of Vindhyachal power plant from my hostel at Shaktinagar and from the railway tracks at MGR admist a setting sun. The images depicts the stacks of stage 1, 2 and 3.

Stacks and the setting sun

Green House gas emissions poses a great threat to our planet

Water logged stadium during Monsoons

          In spite of the green house gas emissions from the thermal power plants, the township here is green and wonderful. The lush green surroundings here is a rare treat to watch. I try to get up on rainy mornings and take a stroll around the township with my camera, since very few people venture out on rainy mornings and i can shoot the surroundings without caring for the on lookers. Normally when i am shooting, the morning walkers would gaze at me and this unsettles me a lot, sometimes i need to explain as to what i am doing.

Soaked in Water

Low angle shot.

Sunset from my rooftop....NH2 B 94

Low angle shot from the Railway tracks at MGR

In flight admist a setting sun

Treading on a floral bed

          While walking on a fresh morning one may get to see a rare sight of flowers scattered beautifully on the path, although it is not spring. One may also get to see storks in flight. capturing them in flight is a bit difficult with sharp focus and good exposure.

Storks at Vindhyanagar Lake

Parrots had a nice time feasting on the ripe mangoes in NH2. I shot these pics from my balcony. Canon EF 70-300 mm lens helped me to capture the closeup pics without disturbing them. 

The still pics of the parrots were easy but the pics shot while flying, were pretty difficult since i had to frame them, focus and shoot in split second. Predicting the time of flight was equally difficult. Cloudy weather meant that the pics were not were not very sharp.

Close up view of the wings while flying

Captured two in one shot; one taking off while the other was landing

Steep diving mode

Birds flocking to the fields and feasting on insects which are found in abundance during monsoons.

Captured all the three stages of VSTPP 

Rihand as viewed from Vindhyachal

Misty Mornings at Vindhyanagar...near EDC

Hostels 1,2, 3 at EDC

             Misty Evenings......at Vindhyanagar


         Nights are comparatively cooler after the showers, light breeze brings a soothing effect. The area near the cooling towers after a light shower is mesmerizing. The presence of water vapour in the air makes the plumes prominent after the rains, it seems as if the clouds have descended.

Cooling Towers..... 

This pic was shot at a fast shutter speed unlike the night shot, since the plumes were very prominent after the showers. Captured from 72 m of Unit 8.

Plume emanating from the stacks and Boilers of Unit 7 and 8

The streets 

         Trails left by the vehicles are prominent in this long exposure shot, captured on a clear evening. Normally there is a lot of suspended matter/ haze in the atmosphere due to stack emissions. after the rains the view is clear and sharp. 

Shot this beautiful pic at Midnight....It had rained the whole day

           Nights as viewed from my balcony are very beautiful at times. The incessant rain which lasted the whole day brought a lot of mist in the air, and it produced a beautiful sight at midnight. I caught this beautiful image using a long exposure of 15 sec and f/2.7 aperture on tripod. It was one of my best night shots. The noise in the image was also too low, and i used low ISO setting to achieve maximum contrast and switched off the Image stabilization.

Misty Evenings

             Yamuna Bhavan

Early morning Sun at Yamuna Bhavan...2013 Spring

Yamuna Bhavan

Gulmohar Trees in Full bloom at Yamuna Bhavan

Dawn

Spring 2013.....warmth of the sun

Spring 2013.....flowers in full bloom

Cutting of Eucalyptus trees in front of Vindhya Club.

Tree  carrying truck turned Turtle.

The truck carrying wooden logs turned turtle at the corner, since the lid covering the storm water drain gave way and was not able to sustain the weight of the overloaded truck. The large cache of timber spilled over and the forest officials had a tough time recollecting them. Trees help in maintaining cool temperature inside the township and supports the ecosystem.

Trees cut near EDC Vindhyanagar

Cars like these are found abandoned in a derelict state in most of NTPC Townships. The most were found in Korba, which i visited during Simulator Training. Here too one may find one or two Premier Padmini cars lying at the Parking lot. Although they are immobile they earn a monthly bounty for their owners.

NH2 township streets...calm and serene

Road beside DPS Vindhyanagar...lined by trees

Road construction in NH2

 Electric Poles being touched up before the Monsson

Repair and Maintenance work at Township

Stacks of Stage 1 and 2 are visible while the boilers of Stage 4 are in the foreground. The setting sun depicts out a beautiful picture.

A familiar sculpture at the premises of Power plants

Highlights of Vindhyachal Thermal Power Plant

1. Station has achieved highest PLF of 96.60 % in FY 09-10
2. Station has achieved highest Availability Factor of 94.47 %.In FY 10-11
3. Stage # I has achieved highest Loading Factor of 102.83 %.In FY 09-10
4. Stage-II has achieved highest PLF of 95.69%In FY 09-10
5. Stage # II has achieved highest Loading Factor of 102.50 %.In FY 09-10
6. Stage # III has achieved highest PLF of 97.52 %In FY 09-10
7. Stage # III has achieved ever highest Loading Factor of 103.03 %.In FY 09-10

Presently Vindhyachal is generating the maximum amount of Power among all the Power plants of NTPC, due to its large capacity; and it will be able to maintain this in future merely due to the excellent maintenance and operational skill of its engineers. Although Stage 1; comprising of six units of 210 MW each, is on the verge of completion of 25 years; it is generating power seamlessly an with a high plant load factor and high availability factory. Water, Fuel supply, Ash disposal and stack emissions are the challenges which Vindhyachal needs to address in the future to keep its current stature and position intact in future. Hope we will reduce green house gas emissions and increase capacity with renewable sources of energy which will enable us to maintain ecological balance on this planet earth.

Managing such a large and diversified power plant is quite a steep challenge in itself. But with innovation driven culture, VSTPP transformed itself into is one of the leading torch bearers of quality initiatives in Indian power sector. VSTPP created record by winning quality council of India DL shah national award for economics of quality for 5 projects for 4 straight years.

Train runs at MGR......Lifeline of Thermal Power plant

I roam around in the streets of Vindhyanagar on my Honda Activa

It rained the whole day due to the effect of Cyclone 'Nilam', and the weather was pleasant. In the evening mist descended, street lights blurred by the mist, and my ACTIVA made a beautiful silhouette.

Lake Park

Panoramic view of all the stages....and Lush green surroundings

                                  Courtesy: HR-PR

Independence Day being Celebrated at Vindhyanagar      Courtsey: HR-PR

Republic Day being celebrated at Vindhyachal.   Courtsey: HR-PR

               Republic Day 2015                                          Courtsey: HR-PR

Republic Day at Stage 1                                                 Courtsey: HR-PR

Tableu on the ocassion of Republic day by the Students of DPS Vindhyanagar           Courtsey: HR-PR

Swachh Bharat abhiyan at Vindhyanagar...for a cleaner Tomorrow

Leaders of tomorrow                   Courtesy: HR-PR

Sharad Mela              Courtesy: HR-PR

Musical Night by Javed Ali        

CSR Activities by NTPC Vindhyachal        Courtesy: HR-PR

CSR activities aimed at developing the communities residing in the vicinity of the power plant; helps in achieving inclusive development of all the stakeholders. It includes providing different kinds of training so that they can use their skills to earn a living and distributing essential commodities like blankets, stationaty materials, sewing machines, cycles, solar lanterns etc and providing emergency relief in needful times. This helps the livelihood of the Project affected persons and helps then lead a descent life. The members of the HR department with Suhasini sangh help in the execution of CSR activities. 

Courtesy: HR-PR

Courtesy: HR-PR

Cultural program by School Children       Courtesy: HR-PR

Courtesy HR PR: Republic Day 2024

Courtesy HR PR:  Republic Day 2024

Courtesy HR PR:  Republic Day 2024

Courtesy HR PR:  Republic Day 2024

Deepawali 2013 at Vindhyanagar

Floating Candles...Deepawali 2012

Renukoot- a perfect Getaway

Mahadeo Temple

Jhinga Jharia, located at a distance of 60 Km from NTPC Vindhyachal is a popular picnic spot. It is located in a National park near Mada caves with a small stream cutting through the forest. The sand banks along the river can be utilized for sports, the river is not very deep during the winter months.

Picnic at Rasganda

Other NTPC Stations: 

      The other NTPC Projects under Western Region -2 Category are Sipat 660 MW x 3 + 500 MW x 2 and Korba 200 MW x 3 + 500 MW x 4 . Of all the stations under western Region -2, Vindhyachal is the largest and biggest.

Korba Super Thermal Power plant

Ramagundam Super Thermal Power plant

NTPC Simhadri

My Sir at BrahMos flanked by Anshul and me