Power supply in AP, TS may improve as TPCIL synchronises 2nd unit to grid

Commercial production of second 660 MW power unit is scheduled to commence in September

Hyderabad: With city-based Thermal Powertech Corporation India (TPCIL) synchronising second 660-MW unit of its thermal power plant in Nellore district to the grid on Tuesday, power supply position in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is expected to improve in coming months.

With this synchronisation, the plant is expected to commence full commercial operation by end of September 2015, taking the total operational capacity to 1,320 MW. Its first 660-MW unit has begun commercial operation in February 2015.

TPCIL is a joint venture between Sembcorp, a subsidiary of Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries, and Gayatri Energy Ventures, an arm of city-based Gayatri Projects. Sembcorp is the majority stakeholder with 67.4 per cent share while the remaining 32.6 per cent stake is owned by Gayatri Energy Ventures.

“The synchronization of our second unit is a significant milestone and brings us another step closer to the full completion of our power plant, which is expected to be in Q3 2015. With this, the plant will be fully operational with gross generation capacity of 1,320 megawatts,” said Atul Nargund, CEO, TPCIL.

The power producer signed a combined power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana power distribution companies for supply of 500 MW power for 25 years before the first unit went on stream in February this year. The company is likely to finalise power purchase agreements for the second unit before production commences in September.

The TPCIL plant, established with a total investment of $1.5 billion, operates on a combination of domestic coal and imported coal. The power plant utilises supercritical technology that allows for enhanced efficiency, thereby reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.