After a long delay, the first stage of 500-MW Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS) was synchronised with the grid on oil support.

But the actual generation of power using coal will commence only after March 2008 as firing with oil has to be carried out for two-three months to conduct various tests.

The Rs 2,100 crore BTPS is the first mega power plant to be set up by the KPCL. The work had commenced in December 2003 and the first unit was scheduled to be commissioned by end of March 2007. “But due to the delay in supplying the critical machinery such as boiler, cooler, turbine etc by the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), which was awarded the turn-key contract for executing the work, the commissioning got delayed,” KPCL Managing Director L V Nagarajan told Deccan Herald here on Thursday.

Another reason for the delay was laying a pipeline for a length of 35 kms from Marihalla to the newly laid pond at Kudtini.

“All electro-mechanical parameters are being observed now and so far everything is fine. Only coal handling facility has to be set up; we hope to complete it in two-three months after which we can take up actual generation,” Mr Nagarajan said.

Even though KPCL MD, Technical Director Muralidhar Rao, BTPS Executive Director Raghunatha Rao and other senior officers of KPCL participated in the programme held at BTPS premises at Kudtini on Monday, the usual fanfare associated with such a major event was conspicuously missing on Monday.

Delay
According to sources, the KPCL avoided the media coverage because it did not want to face “embarrassing questions” about the delay. “Perhaps it’s the first time in the history of KPCL that the commissioning of the unit has been delayed for such a long time. KPCL had a track record of completing its projects as per schedule; but in this case we really feel bad about our performance,” a senior officer, who did not wish to be quoted, commented.
Initially the unit will generate 150 MW power. The first stage will add 3600 Million Units per annum to the grid.                                                                                                                                                                                     
The power generated will be evacuated through the already existing 400 KV transmission line which connects to Bangalore via Davanagere sub-station.  

The KPCL has already placed orders with BHEL to set up the second 500-MW thermal plant on the same site, for which Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy laid the foundation stone on August 30.

The second unit is also scheduled to be synchronised in 36 months. It is estimated to cost around Rs. 2,092 crore.