October 12, 2008

NTPC Simhadri aiming for 92% load factor

BS reported that NTPC Simhadri Super Thermal Power Project, which operates a 1,000 MW plant at Parawada, is targeting to achieve 92% plant load factor during the current fiscal.

Mr R Venkateswaran GM of Simhadri Power Plant said that in 2007, the plant load factor of the unit was only 88.5% as against 92% in 2006, owing to turbines overhaul works. He added that due to drop in PLF, power production reduced to 7,779.66 million units in 2007-08 from 8,026 million units in 2006-07.

Mr Venkateswaran said that NTPC is adding another 1,000 MW at the Simhadri plant and the stage II units will start production from 2011-12. Power purchase agreements for the Simhadri stage II have been signed with Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry electricity boards. Over 30% of the stage II production would be dedicated to Andhra Pradesh.

He further added that the Simhadri power station utilized 70.54% of ash produced during the year 2007-08. The plant has been generation about 2 million tonnes of ash annually.