GMR's Chhattisgarh thermal plant starts generation

GMR Infrastructure Tuesday said the first unit of GMR Chhattisgarh Energy Ltd (GCEL)-operated 1,370 MW supercritical thermal power plant in Raikheda has commenced generation.

"The first unit achieved synchronisation with the grid Oct 2 last week," GMR said in a stock exchange filing.

GCEL is the GMR Group's first supercritical coal-based thermal power plant, while the 685 MW first unit used fuel oil to achieve this first synchronisation, it added.

Work on the second unit of 685 MW is in progress, GMR said.

Since 2013, the conglomerate has commissioned two coal-based thermal power plants -- the 2x300 MW EMCO Energy in Warora of Maharashtra and three units of the 4x350 MW GMR Kamalanga Energy in Kamlalanga of Odisha.

The GMR Group signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Chhattisgarh government for the power plant in 2008, and received environment clearance and permission to set it up in 2011.

The plant will also cater to the power needs of other states, the statement said.

"The plant incorporates advanced supercritical technologies that optimise fuel and water usage and support our commitment to environmental sustainability," G.M. Rao, group chairman, said.