Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (PVUNL), a joint venture between the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the state govt, on Tuesday received rail connectivity with the successful trial run of a loco pilot. The development comes ahead of the commencement of its first unit (800 MW) expected by Jan end. This trial run took place in the presence of senior officials of PVUNL and the railways. PVUNL’s first unit of 800MW capacity is part of the 3x800MW Phase-1 project. 

All three units of the phase-1’s ongoing project with a 2,400MW capacity are expected to be commissioned by December 2025, as per the MoU signed between NTPC and JBVNL. Of the total power generation, 85% will be supplied to Jharkhand. According to the project plan, NTPC-JV is set to develop the project in two phases: 2,400MW (3×800MW) in Phase-1 and 1,600MW (2×800MW) in Phase-2. Six years ago PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation of Phase-1 (2,400MW) with an estimated cost of Rs 180 billion.