Context:

=> The South Eastern Coalfield Limited (SECL), an undertaking of Coal India Limited (CIL), has announced to venture into power production.

Key facts:

=> For the purpose, SECL has inked an MoU with Madhya Pradesh Power Generation Company Limited (MPPGCL) to set up a 660-MW unit.

=> This project will be started by setting up a joint venture between SECL and MPPGCL.

Coal-fire plant of MPPGCL

The coal-fired plant of MPPGCL will have an installed capacity of 660-MW.  It will be set up near Amarkantak Thermal Power Station at Chachai in Anuppur district. It will be constructed with modern supercritical state-of-the-art technology. In it, air-cooled condenser technology will be used. This technology will help in saving water for power generation.

Project Cost:

The project will be set up with an investment of Rs 4,665 crore. In it, SECL would share about 70%. MPPGCL will play operational role, while ownership will be with SECL.

Coal supply by SECL:

SECL is supplying coal to Amarkantak power station, as well as nearby locations of Shahdol and Umaria in Madhya Pradesh.

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL):

SECL is the largest coal producing company in India, of Miniratna status. It is one among the eight fully owned subsidiaries of Coal India Limited. It is headquartered in at Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. 92 mines spread across Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh out of which 70 are underground, 21 are opencast, and 1 is mixed. It is a schedule ‘B’ Mini Ratna CPSE in lignite and coal, working under the control of Ministry of Coal. It was set up in 1985.

Coal India Limited (CIL):

CIL is a government-owned coal mining and refining corporation in India, under the ownership of Ministry of Coal. It is headquartered in Kolkata. It is the largest coal-producer worldwide as well as seventh largest employer in India.