Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp) successfully launched the 2,640-megawatt Sembcorp Gayatri Power Complex in India recently. The opening ceremony held in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, celebrated Sembcorp’s long-term commitment to provide essential power to support economic growth in India. At a total project cost of US$3 billion (RS 20,000 crores), the power complex is the largest foreign direct investment-driven project on a single site in the thermal energy sector in India to date.
The ceremony was graced by Shri N Chandrababu Naidu, Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr S Iswaran, Honourable Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), Government of Singapore, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, Honourable Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India, Shri Piyush Goyal, Honourable Union Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, Shri Prakash Javadekar, Honourable Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and Shri Y S Chowdary, Honourable Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Science, Government of India as the Guests of Honour. They were joined by government officials from India and Singapore, senior management representatives from Sembcorp and its partner in the project, Gayatri Energy Ventures.
The complex houses two 1,320-megawatt supercritical coal-fired power plants. The first power plant, Thermal Powertech Corporation India was successfully completed and commenced full commercial operation in September 2015. The second power plant, NCC Power Projects is expected to be fully operational in 2016.
Tang Kin Fei, Group President & CEO of Sembcorp, said, “The successful launch of Sembcorp Gayatri Power Complex demonstrates Sembcorp’s strong capabilities in developing, owning and operating large-scale energy projects, and reinforces our commitment to India as a reliable, long-term partner. We believe this is a significant step in helping to meet the increasing power needs in India.” He added, “With our strong track record in both the thermal and renewable energy sectors, Sembcorp will continue supporting India in meeting its energy requirements, and in reaching its industrialisation and urbanisation goals.”
The power complex leverages technology and innovation from start to end. A covered conveyor system transports coal seamlessly from coast to power complex, minimising carbon footprint and air pollution. Supercritical technology is also used, enabling higher efficiency and lower emissions compared to conventional coal-fired power plants. In addition, Sembcorp is able to manage resource recovery such that residual fly ash can be recycled on-site into eco-friendly, light-weight, fire-resistant building materials for panel and modular construction.
Atul Nargund, CEO of Sembcorp Gayatri Power Complex said, “The launch of the Sembcorp Gayatri Power Complex is a significant milestone for Sembcorp in India. We would like to thank the central and state governments, our local communities and authorities, as well as our team of dedicated employees. With their support, we have delivered on our commitment to supply essential power to India. We are confident that our power complex will help to address the power demand in India and support the country’s economic development.”
Sembcorp actively contributes to improving the living standards and quality of life for the local community by providing access to clean water, basic infrastructure, and skill development and education programmes, in addition to essential power.
