Essar Steel, one of the leading steelmakers, on Wednesday announced restoration of its 30 MW captive power plant located at its pellet plant facility here after it was severely damaged due to cyclone Hudhud.
The plant is being operated at full capacity and has begun supplying power to the eight million ton per annum pellet plant.
During Hudhud, when heavy gales hit Visakhapatnam, the captive power plant equipment, including electrostatic precipitator, ash silo with structures, cooling tower stacks, and belt conveyor, were severely damaged.
Subsequently, the Essar team channelled its resources into reconstructing the damaged units. Involving almost 400 ton of structural construction and equipment installation with more than 100 workmen, the team brought the plant back to operation in a span of five months.
With the captive power plant back on stream, the pellet plant will once again have access to economic and reliable power, thereby improving its competitive edge.
Green belt
A company spokesman said that Essar Steel had also restored 52 acres of green belt on the plant premises that was damaged by the cyclone.
Specialists from Bengaluru were consulted for ensuring maximum survival rate of the damaged green belt, and to promote fast growth of foliage. These measures ensured survival of 83 per cent of the trees.
In addition restoring damaged trees, 4,500 plants of different species were planted. In all, 1,000 flowering shrubs were planted at various locations in the plant.
The facility, located at the pellet plant, was severely damaged during cyclone Hudhud
