Adani Power Will Commission Third Unit In April

Adani Power Maharashtra Ltd, which has synchronized its two units at Tiroda in Gondia district, is all set to commission its third unit later this month. The thermal power plant in Gondia, the biggest in central India and the first super-critical technology-based unit, ran into problem when the coal block allotted to the them in Lohara near Tadoba forest (Chandrapur) was cancelled since it was located in deep forest in eco-sensitive zone. The benefit of super critical technology is less requirement of coal and lower emission.

However, Adani Power Maharashtra, a 100 percent subsidiary of Adani Power, which had drawn an ambitious plan to set up 3,300 MW power plant (5×660), decided to go ahead with import of coal, seeking coal linkage from Coal India besides an alternative coal block exclusively for its Tiroda plant.

He said the first two units were synchronized on August 28, 2012 and on January 30, 2013, respectively and the third unit would go full steam anytime later this month. In February 2009, the erection work commenced and Adani Power was importing around three million coal annually to run the facility. Now, the company is in the process of seeking new coal block in nearby area via fresh bidding and also seeking coal linkage from the Coal Ministry through Coal India. The Fuel Supply Agreement will be carried out soon, Bhardwaj said.

The company is also seeking review of power purchase agreement (PPA) with the state government, as present cost of production was too high against the PPA when coal supply from Lohara was assured, he added. Senior Vice-President Ajit Bordia said when all the five units were commissioned, Maharashtra would be a power surplus state.