Adani Power's 1,600 MW Godda thermal power plant becomes fully operational

The reliability run test, including commercial operation tests of the second unit, was completed on June 25 in the presence of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Power Grid Corporation of Bangladesh (PGCB) officials. Power supply from Godda USCTPP to Bangladesh's grid will further enhance energy security in Bangladesh," Adani Group said in a statement.

APJL will supply 1,496 MW net capacity power from the 1,600 MW  Godda USCTPP under the power purchase agreement (PPA) with BPDB, signed in November 2017 for a period of 25 years. The power will be transmitted via a 400 kV dedicated transmission system connected to the Bangladesh grid.

“Godda power plant will serve as a symbol of friendship and herald a new phase in the multifarious and long-standing relations of India and Bangladesh,” said SB Khyalia, CEO, Adani Power Limited.

“APJL has completed Godda USCTPP along with a dedicated transmission line within a track record time period of around 3.5 years from its financial closure despite being affected by three waves of Covid-19 in India, China and Bangladesh, all at different points of time," he said.

The company said it took the shortest time, compared to any other coal-based power plant in Bangladesh to synchronise the entire power plant with the grid. To ensure environmentally friendly operations, the plant is equipped with Flue Gas Desulphuriser (FGD) and Selective Catalytic Converter (SCR) system for effectively minimising emissions in alignment with the current operating norms set by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MOEF&CC).

However, as per the initial plan the first unit of the plant was supposed to be operational on January 5, 2022. The commercial operations date was then moved to December 16, which too was missed.

On January 3, 2023, Adani Power Managing Director Anil Sardana said he wanted to start supplying power from March 26, the Independence Day of Bangladesh. The first unit was finally commissioned on April 6 and the second on June 26.

"The commissioning of Godda USCTPP marks a significant milestone for Adani Group, BPDB as well as for the economic co-relations between both nations. Adani Power has become a partner in the economic growth and prosperity of Bangladesh by supplying uninterrupted and reliable electricity at competitive tariffs. This collaboration shall boost the growth of industries in Bangladesh and ultimately Bangladesh's economy will get stronger," the company said in its statement.

Bangladesh has one of the largest liquid fuel-based power generation plants in the Indian sub-continent region. The installed capacity of heavy fuel oil (HFO)-based plants is about 6,329 MW and high-speed diesel (HSD)-based plants is about 1,290 MW, totalling over 7,600 MW.

As per a 2020 report by Brickwork Ratings, the total cost of Adani’s Godda coal-fired power project is approximately Rs 14,817 crore, which has been funded in a debt-to-equity ratio of 68:32. The debt of Rs 10,075.42 crore has been raised from REC (50 percent) and PFC (50 percent).