The Hindu : Karnataka News : Power generation at BTPS delayed

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Monday, Jul 28, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Power generation at BTPS delayed

Staff Correspondent

Synchronisation of the 500-MW power plant delayed due to technical snag

BELLARY: The much-awaited synchronisation of the 500 MW Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS), which was scheduled for Thursday, was delayed due to technical snag.

According to official sources, Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) was planning to commence commercial power generation by 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. But some technical problem cropped up, and it was likely to be solved by 9 p.m. But even at midnight, there was no sign of the power station getting synchronised.

“We are facing some reverse power problem and efforts are on to solve it. It may take an hour or two for the plant to get synchronised”, a senior KPCL official told The Hindu. The decision of KPCL to commission the plant for commercial power generation was welcome, especially since the State is facing severe power shortage.

The Chief Minister, the Energy Minister and Ministers from the district did not attend the function, as scheduled. Enquiries revealed that the trial run of the plant had been successful. KPCL plans to generate around 200 MW of power now and reach the installed capacity of 500 MW gradually.

The Rs. 21,000-crore BTPS is the first mega power-generating unit to be set up by KPCL.

It was Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited that executed work on the power station. The work began in December 2003, the station was scheduled to be synchronised before January 2007 and power generation supposed to begin by March 2007. According to official sources, BHEL was unable to stick to its original schedule due to heavy orders.

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