Yamunanagar thermal may start in June
Reasons for the closure
 The unit is under forced shutdown since September 25, 2011
 A snag developed in the rotor of the turbine
 Rotor consisting huge weight of 35 tone has been sent Badaudra for repair

Thermal plant unit may start operation by June

dp correspondent
Yamunanagar

The 300 MW capacity unit No. 2 of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant, Yamunanagar, which has been under a forced shutdown since September 25, 2011, is not expected to be functional before June this year causing a financial loss worth crores to the state government daily. Facing acute power shortage, the state government is forced to purchase electricity on much higher rates from power generating companies.

Sources said the heavyweight 35-ton rotor fixed in turbine of unit No. 2 had developed a snag (became imbalance) on September 24 last year. After several rounds of meetings of senior officers of power utilities, the rotor was sent to Siemens Company for repair at Badaudara in Gujarat. The company is expected to repair it by May 15 and then it will dispatch it back for Yamunanagar.

“The rotor is an extremely heavy component consisting weight about 35 tons (350 quintal). It will take several days to a trailer to carry the component to Yamunanagar from Badaudara. Interestingly, the process to install the rotor in turbine is also quite lengthy. So far as I think, the unit No. 2 is expected to work in the last week of June, after a long period of 9 months,” said a senior officer on condition of anonymity.

Besides, sources added a thermal power unit with a capacity of 300 MW produces 72 lakh units of electricity in 24 hours and the cost of production of per unit remains Rs 3.27. However, if both units function together, the cost comes down below to Rs 2.50 per unit.

On the other hand, the government is buying electricity between Rs 2.50 to Rs 3.00 per unit even in these lean periods. However, in the peak summer season, when sowing of paddy also takes place, the government has to over draw electricity even at a rate of Rs 6 to Rs 7 per unit.

They said the performance of unit no. 2 had always been shocking. It always produced around 80 per cent electricity of its total capacity of 300 MW since its inception. On the other hand, unit number-1 of this plant has been performing well.

From April 2011 till now, it has generated an average 94 per cent electricity of its total capacity. Giving excellent performance, it has produced record 99 per cent electricity during January and February this year. But, now, the electricity demand in the state is around 5000 MW and it will jump to 6500 MW in peak hours during summer as well as paddy sowing season.

On the other hand when the chief engineer, DCRTPP, Yamunanagar was contacted, he refused to make any comment on the issue.