AGARTALA, Jan 7 (TIWN): Monarchak power plant requires one more month to operate its steam turbine for generating 101MW of power, as said by NEEPCO GM S.R. Biswas. Talking to TIWN correspondent, NEEPCO GM SR Biswas said that Monarchak will be able to generate 101 MW of power after a month or two as it will require time to operate its steam turbine. Adding to it he also said that the gas turbine is generating power in full swing. However, the steam turbine requires a time of one month as it's a hectic process. He also said that the gas turbine is now producing 65 MW on a regular basis and within next ten days the steam turbine capable of generating 36 MW will be able to generate power in full swing. However, at first NEEPCO has switched on to the gas turbine worth generating 65 MW on a regular basis and the processing for operating the steam turbine (36MW) will require time. It is to be mentioned here that once Monarchak begins power generation in full load, the entire 101 MW would be given to Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) which would further resolve the electricity crisis of the North East region at a large extent, said Biswas. The power generated from gas turbine is fully absorbed by TSECL and it is not sold outside the state, added Biswas. NEEPCO GM S.R.Biswas further clarified that there is no problem in gas supply and ONGC is continuously supplying gas to Monarchak. 'If ONGC continues its gas supply, Monarchak will be able to take full load and there will be no dearth of electricity in the state'.

He also said that NEEPCO is now getting 0.5 MSCMPD gas from ONGC and the generation from gas turbine is underway in fullswing.

Northeast India's one of the biggest gas based-power projects in Tripura will be able to generate 101MW electricity in one month as assured by NEEPCO GM S.R. Biswas.

NEEPCO has set up the Rs.9.5 billion (nearly $150 million) 101 MW capacity gas-based power plant in western Tripura's Monarchak.

NEEPCO was set up in 1976 to plan, design, construct, generate, operate and maintain power stations in the north-eastern region, comprising eight states including Sikkim.

The eight states have a population of 45.58 million and the peak hour demand of electricity is around 2,200 MW.

The northeast is going to be power surplus region if Monarchak continues to generate power in full swing.