OPGC registers highest plant load factor

Bhubaneswar, Aug 07 (UNI) The Orissa Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) has for the second consecutive year achieved the highest ever plant load factor (PLF).

OPGC Board sources here said the corporation achieved an average PLF of around 94 per cent for April-May this year and earned compliments from the Central Electricity Authority chairman for achieving a growth of 9 per cent in energy generation at a national level during the period.

OPGC, which was incorporated in 1984 as a wholly owned state government Company, is a Public-Private-Partnership with AES Corporation of USA since 1998-99.

The company operates the 2 x 210 MW coal fired power Ib Thermal Power Station in the Ib Valley area of Jharsuguda district.

As part of its power sector reforms, the state government had divested 49 per cent of its stake in OPGC in favour of AES.

Currently, OPGC was selling electricity at a very competitive price to the Grid Corporation of Orissa (GRIDCO) and emerged as the highest dividend paying company of the state.

OPGC is the first and only disinvestment of an electricity generation business in the country.

During 2006-07, the Corporation had achieved the record PLF of 91.18 percent and passed the mark of 1000 Loss Time Accident (LTA) free days in August last year.

The corporation had completed 1152 LTA free days on the close of last fiscal. The company had owned many state as well as national level awards and recognition including GREENTECH Safety GOLD Award 2006, Safety Award, Greentech Environment Excellence Gold Award 2004-05 and Greentech Environment Excellence Gold Award in thermal power sector.

UNI