After 2-yr delay, YTPS to start power generation from Dec 15

But with work pending, plant will not run to full capacity

After a delay of over two years in the commissioning of the Yeramarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS), Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) has finally assured the government that it will start generation from December 15.

This assurance however comes with a rider. KPCL has said that initially, it will be able to generate only up to 500 MW from Unit 1, against its installed capacity of 800 MW.
The joint venture project between KPCL and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), which was started in 2010, is nowhere near completion.

Works on nearly 30% of the project works, including the setting up of vital components like railway sidings and marshalling yard, coal and ash handling, are yet to be completed.
This delay has imposed restrictions on generating power to the full capacity, said officials. Despite these limitations, KPCL has been forced to commission the plant, given the looming power crisis in the state.

Last week, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who reviewed the project status, was in no mood to hear any more excuses. According to sources, Siddaramaiah instructed officials to start generation at the earliest.

Not only was there a two-year delay owing to land acquisition, there has been a cost escalation of more than Rs 1,000 crore. The further delay of two years has come as a big blow to KPCL, which is still in the process of rectifying many technical glitches in running the machines.

On November 16, when KPCL tried to light up the generator and boiler, it encountered technical problems, forcing officials to stop the boiler. It will take until the end of November to rectify this problem, before it can light up the boiler and synchronise it with the generator.

While maintaining that the machinery imported is of a better quality than the ones installed in the Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS), KPCL officials squarely blamed BHEL for delaying construction activities. They said BHEL’s inability to manage a large scale project continues to date.

“One cannot expect too much from BHEL. The delays have cost us heavily. But given the fact that private agencies are highly unreliable, the government continues to pen agreements with BHEL - there is no other choice. BHEL can at least be held accountable,” said officials.

KPCL hopes to declare commercial operation declaration (COD) of both the units by the end of December. If in case Unit 1 develops problems, KPCL hopes that Unit 2 will act as a backup.

KPCL has stocked up about two lakh tonnes of coal at YTPS. It requires 9,000 tonnes of coal to run one unit everyday. coal has been transported by road from the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), as KPCL has still not been able to lay a railway line to bring in coal directly from the source.