Tariff norms for renewable power projects by Sept
Mumbai: The power ministry has admitted that there will be slippage in the achievement of capacity addition of 5,653 mw in 100 days (May 20-August 31). This is largely due to technical reasons. The ministry mentioned that the power equipment supplier Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) does not have a good track record of timely commissioning of works allocated.

As per the information procured by the All India Power Engineers' Federation under the Right to Information Act, the ministry on Monday noted that till July 23 the capacity addition of 2,308 mw was achieved. Of the 5,653 mw, as high as 5,294 mw will be added through thermal, 220 mw nuclear and 139 mw hydro.

Power ministry official told FE "There are several incomplete plams in the construction works of 250 mw unit. So far the unit 7 at Chandrapura has not been synchronised even for the first time. Ash plant is incomplete. At least three months would be taken to complete it. The ministry of environment and forest has given clearance to run the units with dry fly ash collection system which would take at least one year to complete. "

Moreover, the official said the Rajasthan atomic power station unit 5 (220 mw), which was considered for commissioning by August 31, would be operational in September. As per the Nuclear Power Corporation's website the reactor building leak test was carried out on unit 5 in January last year. The fuel loading of unit 5 has not yet started. "Thus, there is no chance/scope for commissioning the unit 5 in September also," the official observed. More than 50% electrical and instrumentation works are yet to be completed.

On the other hand, the 200 mw unit 2 of Rajasthan atomic power station which has been prolonged shut down is now being loaded with uranium fuel so as to recommission this unit. Therefore, the first priority of Nuclear Power Corporation would be to complete the fueling and commissioning of unit 2 and only thereafter, the fueling of unit 5 could be taken up depending upon the availability of fuel and related matters of imported fuel.