Unit 1 of Indira Gandhi Thermal Power Project Begins Commercial Operation

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources India (Delhi, India)--Aravali Power Company Private Limited (APCPL) has commenced commercial operation of the first unit of the Indira Gandhi Super Thermal Power Project. The unit has a generating capacity of 500 megawatts (MW), and it was commissioned in November 2010. The project is located in the Jharli village, in district of the Jhajjar of Haryana. The project will contain two other 500-MW coal-fired units.

NTPC Limited (BSE:532555) (New Delhi), Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) and Indraprastha Power Generation Corporation Limited formed APCPL for the execution of this project. NTPC had a 50% share of the joint venture company, while the other two companies each have 25% stakes.

The project requires a coal linkage of 6.94 million tonnes per year, which has been allocated from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL).

The contract, valued of $644 million for the supply and installation of the boiler, turbine and generator packages for the three units was awarded to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BSE:500103) (BHEL). This is amongst the highest-value contracts BHEL has received. The power generated from each unit of the plant will be distributed equally to Delhi and Haryana.

NTPC has a current generation capacity of about 33,000 MW. The company currently has 28 power stations across India. The company has nearly 16,000 MW of capacity in the planning and construction phases, and it has embarked on plans to raise its capacity to 75,000 MW by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). Of India's total electricity generation capacity, NTPC contributes almost 30%.

The estimated electricity demand for the state of Haryana this year is about 6,000 MW. Of this, the state will receive about 2,600 MW from HPGCL, 400 MW from the Faridabad gas-fired power plant, 500 MW from the Bhakra Beas Management Board, 400 MW from NTPC, 300 MW from the National Hydro Power Corporation, 100 MW from Nathpa Jhakri and 200 MW from Anta. This prestigious project is the largest power generating power project being set up in Haryana and will play a significant role in meeting the emerging power demand of the state.

The total investment cost for the project is $1.85 billion. Construction on the remaining two units is in progress, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan (2012-17). The second unit is expected to be commissioned in July 2011, while the third unit is planned to be commissioned in January 2012.

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