Technical snag delays Yeramarus unit synchronisation again

According to schedule, it should have been done by today

Synchronisation of the Yeramarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS) in Raichur has been delayed again due to technical issues. Synchronisation of the first unit of 800 MW was scheduled for Wednesday (January 27).

If all goes well, synchronisation will be done either by the month-end or in the first week of February. Synchronisation is the process of connecting the power generator to the grid so that energy generated is not wasted.

Lakshman Kabade, Chief Engineer (electrical) at YTPS, told Deccan Herald that the scheduled oil synchronisation of the first unit will not happen on Wednesday. ``We are working round the clock. We need to test and observe it,’’ he said, while explaining that it is a ``complicated supercritical plant’’.

YTPS is Karnataka’s first supercritical thermal plant while the rest are subcritical.
A supercritical plant works at supercritical pressure of over 3,200 psi (pounds
per square inch) and consumes less energy (coal) and releases less greenhouse
gases.

Work on YTPS started in 2010 but has been delayed for over a year due to various reasons. In January 2015, three labourers were killed at the construction site, delaying the work by a few months.

The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited’s (KPCL) promise of making the first unit operational in June 2015 fell flat due to critical technical issues.

The 2x800 MW thermal plant is being jointly constructed by the KPCL and public sector major Bharath Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL). The initial estimated cost of the project was Rs 9,015 crore. Once fully operational, the two units will generate 11,913 million units of power a year.

Recently, the project was delayed again due to delay in oil supply from Chennai because of floods there. All thermal plants are started with oil or liquid fuel synchronisation to ensure a smooth beginning. This is followed by coal synchronisation. 

Asked by when the production will begin, Kabade said, ``Once the oil synchronisation is done, coal synchronisation will be done in due course.’’ He, however, refused to set any date, saying they needed to monitor and analyse the ground situation before making the unit operational.