By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The central government has approved the capacity expansion Stage-2 of the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Station (NSTPS) in Aurangabad, which is wholly owned by NTPC. Under Stage-2, three new units with an 800 MW power generation capacity each will be installed. The tender for this expansion has been issued. If the project progresses on schedule, the plant will be operational by 2029, meeting the growing electricity demands of Bihar over the next four to five years.
Currently, 1,980 MW of electricity is being produced from the three operational units of 660 MW each in Stage One of the Nabinagar Power Station. Bihar’s share in this is 82.5 percent, amounting to 1,634 MW. With the addition of three new units, the total power generation capacity of NSTPS will increase from 1,980 MW to 4,380 MW. This 2,400 MW increase will upgrade the status of NSTPS from a Super Thermal Power Station to a Mega Thermal Power Station. While Bihar’s quota for Stage Two has not been finalized, based on the previous agreement, Bihar can claim 62 percent of the additional 2,400 MW, equating to 1,485 MW.
Once Stage Two becomes operational, the NSTPS project will rank as the second-largest thermal power project in the country. Currently, the Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Station holds the title as the largest, producing about 4,800 MW of electricity. The central government’s approval includes an investment of over Rs 25,000 crore for the NSTPS capacity expansion, marking the largest investment in any project in Bihar to date.
Bihar stands to benefit significantly from the establishment of the Stage-2 project at NSTPS. The completion of this project will reduce Bihar’s reliance on power projects in other states. Construction can commence immediately after the tender process concludes, as there are already 1,400 acres of surplus land available for the project. Existing infrastructure, including railway tracks, water pipelines, and cooling ponds, can be partially expanded and utilized for Stage-2, minimizing the need for new construction.
The author is a Patna based journalist
