Tripura News
OTPC Unit-II starts testing with a possible target of full load by late Friday night ; Trial Run likely to begin from last week of February; Commercial Generation unlikely before first week of March
Bhaskar N Sarkar
PHOTO : OTPC Unit II. TIWN File Photo
PALATANA/ UDAIPUR, February 21(TIWN): Even after two and half months OTPC is yet to start commercial generation from its Unit-II of the 726.6mw Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Thermal Power Plant at Palatana. A highly placed source in the OTPC told this correspondent on Friday evening at 6pm the Unit-II started production and this time it is said to be as part of routine check up . Same kind of steps was taken five days before and the generation from Unit II that time crossed more than 363 MW. Again by Friday late night the power generation is expected to touch the full load. And according to TIWN source if the routine check up gives desired result, OTPC will consider to start the Trial Run before the Commercial Generation. It is to be mentioned here that before the Commercial Generation, 15 days Trial Run is absolutely necessary.
On December 1,2014 Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Unit-II of OTPC's Palatana power plant but the Commercial Generation is yet to start. And now after almost two and half month both BHEL & OTPC have agreed to start the trial run. And before starting the Trial Run, technical experts would like to check a few basic things and as such at around 6pm the Unit-II was put into work.
Speaking to TIWN , a top Lev OTPC official informed ," As of now many official formalities are yet to be carried out before the starting the Commercial Generation and some of these are as follows:-
1) Power Purchasing agreement is yet to be finalized
2) Central Electricity Corporation Ltd has not yet given clearance to start Commercial Generation
3) 400 KV Transmission line up to Bongaingaon power grid is yet to be installed
4) The rate of power per unit too has not been agreed upon.
Meanwhile , the ONGC is supplying adequate quantity of gas to the Unit-I. Per day 2 Mega Million Matric Cubic Metre Standard gas is needed for power generation. And at present the supply of gas per day is quite expected. As such one may day that this time there is no problem with ONGCs Gas Pipe Line. However, whether the OTPC will be able to start the Commercial Generation depends on the outcome of Friday's check up that may be extended for a day also. And after two of three days, if the technicians feel that the plant is well prepared for commercial generation , the Trial Run is likely to start from last week February. A top level OTPC technical expert told TIWN over phone ," If everything how's well we are hopeful to start Commercial Generation by mid March. "
Sanjay Majumder
Anirban Mitra