THDC asked to pull up socks on Koteshwar HEP implementation

Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has asked THDC to pick up the pace of works at its upcoming 400-mw Koteshwar hydroelectric project site. Though the project authorities are confident of commissioning the projects within the current Plan, according to the authority, there still remain critical activities to be monitored at the site which can lead to slippage of the commissioning of the units to the next Plan.

In a recent report after conducting a site visit to the Koteshwar project, the Authority stated that commissioning of two units were programmed by March 2011 and balance two units in the year 2011-12. However, due to flooding of Power House in September 2010, there are lot of activities to be carried out for refurbishment of equipments and various systems. Considering the activities associated with refurbishment of Unit 1 and associated auxiliaries system and balance work for other units, the commissioning of the first unit by March 2011 seems to be critical. Further, all efforts need to be taken by Project authorities to ensure commissioning off all the four units in the 11th Plan, the CEA reported.

The flooding of the power house resulted in submergence of various equipments. Before flooding of power house, erection of Unit 1 and associated auxiliaries was in progress. Currently, refurbishment activities for Unit 1 are being carried out and the damaged excitation system of unit has been replaced with Unit 4. Replacement of auxiliary systems and panels is being taken up and various equipments earmarked for Unit 3 and 4 are presently being used for refurbishment of Unit 1 and 2. The process for procurement of these items needs to be initiated and to be perused further with BHEL and other contractors for timely delivery so that all the four units can be commissioned within 11th Plan, the Authority stated. 

Koteshwar Project is a run-off-river scheme with minimum diurnal storage on Bhagirathi river in Uttaranchal. The project is an integral part of the 2400 mw Tehri Hydro Power Complex. It comprises of a 97.5 m. high concrete Dam and Surface Power House, housing 4 units of 100 mw each and is located around 22 kilometers downstream of Tehri Dam. The Koteshwar Project will regulate water releases from Tehri Reservoir for irrigation purposes. The reservoir created by Koteshwar Dam shall also function as balancing reservoir for Tehri Pumped Storage Plant.

Source:-http://www.projectsmonitor.com/MISC/thdc-asked-to-pull-up-socks-on-koteshwar-hep-implementation

KSEB, environmentalists get ready with argument | | | Indian Express

KOCHI: With the Madhav Gadgil Committee scheduled to visit Athirappilly on Saturday, both KSEB and environment groups are preparing arguments to submit before the panel.

The committee is visiting Athirappilly to make a final assessment on the feasibility of the proposed Athirappilly hydroelectric project.

KSEB has prepared a report to be presented before the committee. The Board will say that the project will solve the huge power shortage in the state as it is expected to generate 163 MW power.

The Electricity Board will further say that the Union Government had given clearance thrice and that several studies have shown that there will not be any environmental issues if the project was implemented. The KSEB will specify in its report that the Central Water Commission has said that the river has sufficient water for a hydroelectric project.

It was in 1998 that the project got the first clearance. Soon, the issue was caught in a legal battle.

In 2005, following a fresh environment impact study, it got the clearance again and for the third time it got clearance in 2007.

However, environment groups are planning to present their arguments based on the possible impact of the project on biodiversity and how it will affect the Kadar tribe in the region.

They will say that the project is socially and economically unviable.

The cost for the project is increasing rapidly. Hence it would be economically unviable.

According to the Central Electricity Authority, maintaining the waterfalls and generating electricity together will not be feasible, environmentalists say.

The environmental groups will further say that already about 40 percent of water from the river is being diverted for similar projects.

"There are four dams operating for Parambikulam Aliyar and then there is the Edamalayar diversion. Hence the water from the river is already regulated. It is necessary for the authorities to go for a Cumulative Impact Assessment. In the case of Athirappilly this has not been done.

Only if there is such an assessment, the impact of the proposed project can be understood," A Latha, of the River Research Centre, Thrissur, said.

Source: KSEB, environmentalists get ready with argument | | | Indian Express

NTPC to invite bids for main plant in mid-2011

2,640-MW GIDDERBAHA THERMAL POWER PROJECT

Power utility NTPC Ltd plans to invite tenders for the main plant package for its 2,640-mw (4x660) coalbased thermal power project at Gidderbaha in Muktsar district of Punjab sometime in the middle of 2011 and award the contract by December. The project, which is being developed at an estimated cost of15,000 crore, is scheduled to be commissioned by 2016-17. The power plant will benefit Punjab and other states and union territories in the Northern Region.

NTPC had asked the CEA for year-wise power demand-andsupply projections for the Northern Region for the 12th Plan (2012-2017) to enable the utility to justify the power supply position for the project. Accordingly, CEA worked out the anticipated supply position for the 12th Plan, considering the under-construction schemes, and informed NTPC that power from the project would be fully absorbed in 2016-17, thus according inprinciple clearance to the viability of the project. The Punjab government has agreed to help with land acquisition and water allocation for the project against the allocation of 50 per cent of power to the state. The government has given inprinciple clearance for about 2,316 acres of land for the project. NTPC signed the PPA with Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd last month.

The power project, which would be funded entirely by NTPC, will be the state's biggest thermal power plant and is expected to boost economic development in the region. 

The combined capacity of the Gidderbaha TPP along with four other upcoming mega thermal plants at Talwandi Sabo, Goindwal, Rajpura and Mansa will be 10,590 mw and the total investment is nearly 53,000 crore.

Source:-http://www.projectsmonitor.com/POWDIST/ntpc-to-invite-bids-for-main-plant-in-mid2011