Ind-Barath synchronises 350 Mw unit

Ind-Barath Energy (Utkal) Ltd has synchronised the first 350 Mw unit of its proposed 700 Mw coal-fired thermal power plant at Sahajbahal near Jharsuguda.

"Commercial operations of the 350 Mw unit are set to begin in a month's time. To run the plant at full capacity, we need around 6,500 tonne of coal per day. The second 350 Mw unit is expected to be commissioned in four months. Odisha will get 84 Mw as state share at a variable cost from the combined capacity of 700 Mw. The state will also get some infirm power during the synchronisation stage," said M D Mishra, president, Ind-Barath Energy (Utkal) Ltd.

Out of the total capacity of 700 Mw from the two units, Tamil Nadu will get 500 Mw as per the power sale agreement signed by the company.

Ind-Barath had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government in February 2009 to set up 700 Mw coal-based plant at a cost of Rs 3,150 crore. Later, the company proposed to add one 660 Mw supercritical unit, revising the total project cost to Rs 6,450 crore.

In the current fiscal, Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd (JITPL) is slated to commission its second 600 Mw unit. JITPL has already put into operation the first 600 Mw of its 1,800 Mw power project at Derang near Angul.

Monnet Power is expected to put on stream two 525 Mw units (1,050 Mw) near Angul.

The state energy department had entered into MoUs with 28 IPPs, envisaging a production capacity of around 35,000 Mw. Among the IPPs, Sterlite Energy has commissioned its 2,400 Mw coal-fired power plant at Burkhamunda near Jharsuguda. GMR Kamalanga has commissioned 1,050 Mw (3x350) capacity of its 1,400 Mw power plant proposed at Kamalanga in Dhenkanal district. Presently, IPPs and captive generating plants are injecting 889 Mw to the state grid during peak hours. Peak power demand stands at 4,111 Mw while average power demand is hovering around 3,500 Mw.