NTPC plans to double capacity of Simhadri Station

Hyderabad, Apr 13 (UNI) The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plans to double its capacity to 2,000 megawatts (MW) at its Simhadri Station in Visakhapatnam district with an investment of Rs 4,844 crore.

The 1,000-MW Simhadri Station, currently dedicated to the needs of Andhra Pradesh, is for a make over with NTPC deciding to install two units of 500 MW each by 2010-2011 to the Stage-II, which will be a regional unit.

''This will mean that Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala will share power along with Andhra Pradesh in the Second Stage of 1,000 MW unit unlike the first stage in which total supply was meant for the host,'' NTPC Regional Executive Director (South) A N Dave said.

The Southern region of NTPC has already signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu along with Andhra Pradesh. PPA would also be signed in a week with Kerala for sharing power from the Simhadri second stage. The allocation of power will be under the Union Power Ministry.

During the financial year of 2006-07, NTPC Southern Region has achieved a total generation of 29,453.21 MUs as against 27,792.267 MUs during 2005-2006. It achieved 100 per cent realisation during the financial year with no outstanding dues.

NTPC Ramagundam plant achieved a generation of 20,247.702 MUs at Plant Load Factor (PLF) of 88.90 per cent. This is the highest ever achieved at Ramagundam (Previous best was 19690.837 MUs).

Considering backing down of 243.26 MUs due to grid restrictions, the deemed PLF is 90.85 per cent.

Ramagundam Unit VII (500 MW) recorded no tube failures for 666 days since commencement of commercial operation. Ramagundam Station has achieved highest ever coal receipts of 125.01 Lakh MT during the year 2006-07. The previous best was 119.27 Lakh MT during 2005-06.

During the financial year, Simhadri Station achieved a generation of 8,068.16 MUs at PLF of 92.10 per cent. Considering backing down of 83.69 MUs due to grid restrictions, the deemed PLF is 93.06 per cent. Simhadri with a PLF of 92 per cent and Ramagundam with a PLF of 88.9 per cent rank fourth and tenth respectively among NTPC stations.

With continuous scheduling of Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Project/Kayamkulam RGCCPP in the last three months, the station is generating at PLF of 78 per cent. During the financial year, RGCCPP Station has achieved a generation of 1,137.35 MUs at PLF of 36.11 per cent. There was a backing down of 1,787.175 MUs due to lack of schedule. Considering the backing down, the deemed generation is 2924.523 MU at PLF of 92.85 per cent.

UNI