Power sector majors take lead in efficiency, win laurels at annual govt awards

NTPC, Jindal & JP shine in generation

The power sector majors outshine in the annual awards by the ministry of power recognising best performing and efficient projects and companies across the chain. The awards were conferred by the minister of state for coal, power and renewable energy Piyush Goyal along with senior officials of the power ministry.

Newly commissioned super thermal power stations (STPS) of the state owned power generation giant NTPC were best performers in thermal power generation category. CESC and JSW Energy followed close heels.

Super thermal power plants are of 1000 Mw and above capacity and aim at efficiency in fuel usage and power generation. NTPC's Ramagundam STPS is the first such plant in the country and won along with its Vindhyachal STPS.

 

Though in the 'early commissioning of thermal power plants' STPS of Jindal Power took away the gold.

In the hydro sector, it was the projects of Jaiprakash Power Ventures limited, which were adjudged as best performing. However, none of these plants are with Jaypee anymore. Both Baspa-III and Karcham Wangtoo power project in Himanchal Pradesh were acquired by JSW Energy early this year.

In power transmission, a fairly new entrant Sterlite Grid was awarded for early completion of their 765 kV substation at Dhule, Maharashtra. Sterlite Grid which is the country's largest independent operator of transmission systems, is also now the first private player to win this award.

The soon to be demerged subsidiary of Sterlite Technology is also the first private developer to commission 765 kV transmission project to connect Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The project was completed in 17 months against typical 36.

In the power distribution also, private players took lead with Tata Power Maharashtra and Torrent Power Gujarat bagging top laurels.

These awards are an annual feature by the power ministry to honour meritorious performance by companies in generation, transmission and distribution. It also recognises projects which are completed ahead of schedule and also those which adhere with environment and efficiency norms.