OPGC halts 420 Mw power plant due to technical glitch

State-run thermal power producer Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) has halted power generation at its Jharsuguda facility as both of its units, of 210 Mw each, have been shut down due to technical glitch.

While unit 1 stopped working after getting hit by lightning on August 28, the company authorities decided to halt power generation from unit 2 suspecting fluid leakage.

"We had to halt unit 2 on Saturday as we suspected leakage of hydrogen from it. We hope to restart it within 8-10 days after repairing it," said Dillip Panda, head of HR, OPGC. The company, meanwhile, is taking steps to bring back unit 1 into workable condition, but did not mention about any time period for it.

"We have invited experts of BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd) to resolve the matter on a war footing," he added. OPGC, a state-owned PSU where US power major AES has 49 per cent stake, produces 420 Mw power from two of its coal-fired power units situated at Banharpali in Jharsuguda district. These plants, set up in 1995, often face maintenance problems. OPGC is investing heavily to upgrade these plants along with plans to increase its capacity by establishment of two more power units.

The state load despatch centre (SLDC) which tracks and monitors power supply from different generator in the state, showed zero power supply from OPGC.

However, there will not be major supply problem due to OPCG power shortage as the state is getting sufficient supply from hydro generation these days, because of monsoon rains this year.

Apart from hydropower generation of nearly 1,150 Mw, the state is getting ample power from its share from central power stations, independent power producer such as Sterlite Energy and many captive power generators to meet its nearly 2,700 mw daily demand.