The Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd (APGCL) has taken initiatives to replace the aged gas and steam turbines of the Namrup Thermal Power Station (NTPS) with the most sophisticated turbines. The initiatives are aimed at enhancing the generation capacity of the power plant to over 140 MW with lesser gas consumption. The six NTPS turbines were installed between 1965 and 1985. These turbines have a total generation capacity of 119 MW. However, at present, the plant is generating between 75 MW and 85 MW.
Disclosing this, Managing Director of the APGCL Ashim Chandra Bhuyan told this newspaper that it has been planned to utilise .5 million cubic standard metre (CSM) of gas for the new machine. The balance amount of .16 CSM gas available for the plant would be used to run two of the old turbines for which planned repairs and maintenance work have also been taken up, he said.
It needs mention here that the allocation of gas for the plant is .66 million CSM.
The new turbine is expected to be commissioned by December 2011, while the repairs of the two old turbines are going on.
The APGCL MD, who was talking on the present status of the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB)/APGCL thermal power stations and the steps taken to improve their condition, also informed that a co-partner has been selected to revive the 60 MW Chandrapur Thermal Power Station (CTPS) on a coal-based technology.
M/s Imperial Energy Construction Ltd has been selected as the partner of the APGCL in this joint venture to revive the CTPS. The Imperial Energy Construction Ltd will have a consortium with M/s Imperial Fastener Ltd and M/s Intelimine, said the APGCL MD.
The APGCL partner in this case, shall be responsible for supply of coal for the CTPS, which will have its generation capacity limited to 60 MW initially with the scope for further expansion.
The proposal for the purpose has already been submitted to the State Government for its approval, he said.
The CTPS was shut down in 1999 following the hike in furnace oil price.
However, due to the lean hydro season, one turbine of the 2 × 50 MW Karbi Langpi Hydel Project is now in operation.
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=feb2009/at08
