core sector communique

Power Projects using Super Critical Technology

A capacity of about 4000 MW is likely to be added in the 11th Plan through super-critical units of which about 1980 MW has already been commissioned so far. In the 12th Plan, about 50% to 60% coal fired capacity addition is expected to be from super-critical units.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Power Shri K.C.Venugopal said that the super-critical technology is more efficient than the conventional sub-critical technology and higher super-critical parameters of 565/593 deg. C can lead to about 5% savings in fuel consumption as compared to typical 500 MW sub critical units. However, he added that the super-critical technology being a new technology may involve higher capital cost for initial units and a part of the higher capital cost may get offset by savings in fuel. He further said that with new manufacturing entities being set up in the country, there may be reduction in capital cost in the long run. Shri K.C.Venugopal said that generally, the super-critical technology is being adopted for large size units to achieve benefit of economies of scale and faster capacity addition.