Kerala to Set up First Petcoke Power Plant at Lrumpanam.

The Kerala Government will set up state’s first Petcoke (Petroleum coke)-based power plant using the fuel produced from Kochi Refinery’s Integrated Refinery Expansion Project (IREP) at 150 acres of FACT at Irumpanam.

The FACT (Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited) land at Irumpanam is adjacent to the BPCL expansion project. It will be acquired by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and used only for the implementation of the petcoke based power plant, under Government directions.

IREP, which is expected to be completed by May 2016, will yield approximately 1.4 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of petcoke. This can be used to produce around 500-600 MW (mega watts) of power.INKEL, Kerala’s PPP model infrastructure development company, was authorized by the State Government to study the feasibility of the project in March 2014. Based on discussions with major power plant technology providers and extensive data analysis, the company submitted a comprehensive report, which endorsed the implementation of the project. The state government, identifying the merits of petcoke as a primary fuel for power generation, has approved the proposal, in principle. Petcoke is a high calorific value solid fuel and is extensively used for power generation in various countries.The project is bolstered by many favourable factors; including assured fuel supply from the BPCL refinery with negligible transportation cost; adequate water source; pollution-free, eco-friendly, advanced technology; and excellent connectivity.
“As such, this can be one of the best infrastructure projects initiated by the state government,” said T Balakrishnan, managing director, INKEL, adding that it can be a key contributor to Kerala’s economic development.The power project proposes to employ the most environment-friendly technology currently available in the world, with minimal requirement of land.

The New Indian Express