Bela power station

Bela power station is a coal plant in Maharashtra, India.

Location
The map below shows construction in progress at the Bela power station, which is located directly to the north of the Purti power and sugar complex:

Background
Bela power station a 270MW coal-fired power station at Bela, Nagpur in Maharashtra, India. The project, which began operating in March 2013, is owned by Ideal Energy Projects, a small private Indian company.

In 2009 it was reported that the company proposed to build a 270MW unit then float the company on the stock exchange with the expectation that additional units would be built subsequently. It also reported in October 2009 that the company expected approval for the second phase in about a month.

In May 2011 it was reported that Ideal had completed negotiations with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd for the supply of a boiler-turbine-generator and with McNally Bharat Engineering Company for the supply of additional plant and engineering works. Reuters reported that Fitch Ratings were optimistic about the project following the completion of the contracts. Reuters reported that the contracts "coupled with the appointment of experienced technical advisors and personnel, should partly offset the sponsor's lack of an operating track record in the power sector. That said, given BHEL's overflowing order book position, a price variation (with a cap of 20%) clause in the EPC contracts and a meager contingency provision (below 3%), the timely completion of the project without cost overruns remains a challenge."

Environmental criticism
A commenter ("avinashjee") posted the following on wikimapia:


 * NAGPUR: Conservationists also raised a question over how the Ideal Thermal Power Station, located just 5-6 kilometres from the boundary of Muniya reserve forest, has been allowed to come up. Environmentalist Seema Sahu raised objection to the location and demanded that the power station's expansion plans should not be okayed. Ideal Energy Projects Ltd has constructed a coal-based thermal power station (TPS) with installed capacity of 270 MW adjacent to Purti Sugar Factory and Power Station near village Bela. The unit is all set to commission in a few days. Now, the company has proposed to set up another unit of 270 MW for a total installed capacity of 540 MW. A visit to the site reveals a shocking picture as the plants are located adjacent to agriculture fields. They are also within 1 km from Wadgaon dam which is to be water source for Mihan industries and residential localities as well. Muniya reserve forest that is a dense forest patch and has presence of protected animals is close by. The Muniya forest is proposed to be declared as conservation reserve. It is actually mentioned in the draft environment impact assessment (EIA) submitted by the company to MPCB and citizens. After visiting the plant and dam premises, Sahu said the construction of a thermal power plant in such an area that too close to a forest was most unfortunate. "Any development like thermal power plants should be at least 10 kms from reserve forest as per norms. Besides, the plants are also located close to an irrigation reservoir. It is a big threat for environment," she said. Registering her objection during the public hearing, Sahu demanded that MPCB should not allow the expansion project and any more plants at the site. Representative from Green Peace, Mumbai, Bhagwan Kasbhat too registered an objection against the project. "Flyash is generated in huge quantity from TPS and is highly toxic and radioactive. Flyash disposal plan of the project indicates inadequacy and negligence thus threatening the environment. We strongly oppose the project as it fails to justify itself on environmental, social and economic grounds," he said. Kasbhat too interacted with people at the hearing and also villagers of Khursapur situated close to the plant and village Bela to make them aware of the impact of thermal power stations.

Project Details
Sponsor: Ideal Energy Projects Location: Bela, Nagpur, Maharashtra Coordinates: 20.80915, 79.054892 Status: operating Nameplate capacity: 270MW Type: Coal Type: Coal Source: Estimated annual CO2: Source of financing:

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