GEB to import coal

AHMEDABAD, May 10: The state government has decided to use imported coal on an experimental basis to improve efficiency of its thermal power...

AHMEDABAD, May 10: The state government has decided to use imported coal on an experimental basis to improve efficiency of its thermal power units. Necessary instruction in this regard was issued by Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel to senior bureaucrats at a high-level meeting he held with chief engineers of Gujarat Electricity Board GEB on Sunday.

According to an official press statement, a comprehensive schedule to take corrective steps for getting the maximum plant-load factor PLF was also worked out at the meeting. The directive was was given in the wake of difficulties facing in improving plant-load factor at these units.

At an interface with chief engineers connected with the power generation in GEB, the chief minister also reviewed the PLF of different units of the board. Around eight coal-based thermal units functioning in the GEB came under review at the meeting, which was attended by Minister of State for Energy Kaushik Patel and GEB chairman G Subba Rao, among others.

Board officials presented a detailed outline of the plans to add another 222.167 MW power generation by taking PLF to 70 per cent at the coal- and lignite-based power units. Upgradation of gas/combustion turbine was also discussed at the meeting. The units reviewed in the meeting included Ukai 1 and 2, Gandhinagar 1 and 2, Panandhro lignite unite 1, 2 and 3, Dhuvaran 4 and 6 and Sikka 1.

The chief minister claimed that there was qualitative improvement in the power generation scenario during April-May this year as compared to the corresponding period last year. He expressed the hope that GEB engineers would further improve upon their performance.

According the board8217;s technical member, GEB8217;s power generation capacity was 3,734 MW, of which it achieved generation of 4,474 MW in the current month.According to him, PLF, which was 72.54 per cent in April 1997, rose to 75.55 per cent this April and 76.25 per cent in the current month. Moreover no power cut was effected in industrial units, he claimed.

The chief minister also issued instructions to expedite several projects and repair works like securing report from a Netherlands-based firm in a month for complete commissioning of Panandhro lignite project. He also said that the government would ensure continuous supply of natural gas in full pressure for the Utran unit. Also discussed was completion of cooling towers at Gandhinagar, use of imported coal at Ukai unit, on an experimental basis etc.