R-Power gives Samalkot power equipment order to GE

Anil Ambani’s Reliance Power (R-Power) has placed an order with US-based power equipment maker GE Energy for its 2,400 Mw gas-based project planned at Samalkot in Andhra Pradesh.

This is the largest order for GE Energy in India. In addition to supply of equipment, comprising six gas turbines, three steam turbines and generators, GE will be providing maintenance services. All the six gas turbines are scheduled to be commissioned before March 2012, said a company statement.

It did not disclose the size of the order.

“We are confident of creating a new record for project execution and are hopeful of commissioning the project on a super-fast-track basis, substantially adding to capacity addition in the 11th Plan,” said J P Chalasani, CEO, R-Power.

It had initiated gas-based power projects following an amended family agreement between Anil Ambani and his brother, Mukesh Ambani, a few months earlier, which allowed the younger Ambani to enter in a major way into production using gas. However, their Dadri power project in Uttar Pradesh, planned as the largest in a single location, is yet to make much progress, due to litigation and land acquisition issues.