AGARTALA, June 22 � Aiming to produce 500 MW power, the ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC) is contemplating to switch on both the units of the Palatana project by the end of this month, said OTPC Managing Director Satyajit Ganguly.
Speaking to the media, the MD on Monday said that the OTPC plans to operationalise both units by the end of this month after getting clearance from the Northeast Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC), Shillong.
On the evacuation of power, he said since the project was initiated to cater to the needs of the north-eastern states, OTPC is committed to supply power to the region�s states.
�If NE states do not take power, the project will not sustain... It is true that power demand has reduced due to the monsoon showers, but OTPC will make some arrangement to sale power to the region,� he said.
Asked if there is any shortage of gas supplied to the Palatana plant, Ganguly said that the ONGC has been supplying 2.65 MMSCMD of gas daily as per the agreement.
�With this much of gas, we can produce 530 MW power per day. However, more gas will be required if OTPC wants to produce Palatana�s installed capacity of 726 MW,� he clarified.
According to sources, the Manarchak power plant is also in the pipeline with the NEEPCO trying to sale power to the State government. It is expected that power generation would be increased in the few months, but the scope of power sale is coming down gradually.
Most of the power companies in the NE states are reeling under heavy debt due to various reasons, which is why they do not want to buy power from OTPC or NEEPCO.
The only ray of hope is selling power to the neighbouring Bangladesh. Although the Centre has already decided to supply 100 MW power to Bangladesh, it is not yet clear as to which company will sale power to the neighbouring country.
Reports said steps have already been taken to erect power transmission line from Suryamaninagar to Bangladesh (Comilla). If everything falls in place, the PGCIL would complete the transmission line by December next.