The first unit of the Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station in Nellore, also known as Krishnapatnam Thermal Power Project, might begin its commercial operations from October 15, if all goes as planned.
The earlier date of commercial operations (COD) as announced by the APGenco was on October 4, which could not be adhered to, reportedly due to technical glitches arising in the plant. However, talks have been rife about deliberate delay in commercial production at the behest of Andhra Pradesh government, because the power will have to be shared with the Telangana discoms.
Incidentally, TSSPDCL and TSNPDCL too have stakes in the AP Power Development Company, the special purpose vehicle launched by APGenco for setting up the plant. Production from the unit is already inordinately delayed, considering that the initial COD was set to be in August 2012. Though the project was begun in 2008, the first unit of 800 MW was synchronised only this year, by April-end, and gradually stabilised since then, by mounting the production from 100 MW, up to its peak capacity in August. After due repairs, the plant was scheduled to start commercial production from October 3 and 4.
“But there was a problem with the Primary Air Fan, due to which the commercial operations could not be launched as planned. As the technology was borrowed from a US-based company, the plant had to be shut down till experts arrived and addressed the glitch,” informed K. Vijayanand, the Chairman and Managing Director of the APGenco.
On October 4 and 5, the plant was operated for 200 MW, on October 6 and 7 for 400 MW. “We will gradually mount the production up to 800 MW. The unit has to be run continuously for 72 hours for 800 MW, after successful completion of which, we can run it for commercial production,” Mr. Vijayanand said. Officials ruled out deliberate delay, because the unit will begin to receive its allotted share of coal only after it begins commercial operations. Further, costs will continue to mount if the plant is idle, they say.
Haze prevails over APGenco’s intentions to share the power with Telangana discoms, as the relevant PPA has been returned by the APERC, citing lack of jurisdiction. APGenco has, a few months ago, unilaterally cancelled all the PPAs with the Telangana discoms, which have not received regulator’s approval. Sources from the power utilities, however, conjecture that the Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre may intervene and allot Telangana its due share.
