From Our Correspondent
Agartala: The Manarchak power project would be commissioned by September this year if the ONGC ensures supply gas to the project said NEEPCO’s Chairman cum Managing (CMD) PC Pankaj here on Thursday.
Pankaj, who arrived here on Wednesday, called on Power Minister Manik Dey at Civil Secretariat here and briefed him about the progress of Manarchak power plant.
Talking to media, the NEEPCO chief said the NEEPCO wants to commission the first phase of the much-delayed project by September if the ONGC ensures supply of gas to the plant on time.
Initially, Manarchak project will produce 61.3 MW power and later 39.7 MW will be added to the project. “The works for the projects have almost been completed. However, the laying of gas pipeline is yet to be done by the ONGC”, the NEEPCO chief said.
As per the agreement, the oil giant is supply to supply 0.5 MMSCMD to the proposed Manarchak power plant.
Pankaj said the project cost for the Manarchak has been increased from Rs. 623 crore to 960 crore due to delay in execution of the plant. The NEEPCO proposes Rs. 3.50 per unit cost of power to be supplied from Manchak power project.
Besides, Manarchak project, the NEEPCO is planning to add 6000 MW power generation in Northeast region. Currently, five power projects are on the pipeline in the power-starved region.
Pankaj, who met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar to brief him about the NEEPCO’s future plan, said the corporation is also trying to convert two power units- Barmura and Rukhia into combine cycle power unit to increase power generation. Currently, both units are thermal power projects.
He further said power generation of Agartala gas thermal power project would also be increased by installing steam turbine.
“Currently, the project produces 84 MW while 51 MW more will be added by August 2014”, he said.