Tata Power Company Ltd (TCPL), India’s largest integrated private power utility, on Friday announced the commercial operation test (commissioning) of the country's first 800 MW-sized super critical Unit 1 at the Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) at Mundra in Kutch district of Gujarat.
Unit 1 was earlier synchronised with the national grid on January 8 and had achieved full load on February 25. TPCL’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Coastal Power Gujarat Ltd (CCPL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV), is setting up the 4,000 MW (800x5) imported coal-based UMPP at Mundra.
The 800 MW Unit 1 has been ready for synchronisation since June 29, 2011, awaiting transmission evacuation system from Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), which got commissioned on September 29, 2011. Unit 1 was commissioned earlier today in a record 48 months of construction work starting on the project and work on Units 2 to 5 of the project is progressing well, Mr Anil Sardana, Managing Director, Tata Power said, said.
“We are very happy to announce the commissioning of Unit 1, India’s first 800 MW sized super-critical unit. The proposed 4,000 MW power generation will benefit five States, viz Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab.”
CGPL has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with seven procurers (distribution licensees) from these five States for the sale of contracted capacity.
The 4,000 MW Mundra UMPP is the first of the UMPPs, which heralds the entry of 800 MW super critical boiler technology in India that is environment friendly and efficient. The project site, approximately 1,000 hectares, is located south of Tunda Wand village in Mundra taluka. The super-critical technology and the choice of unit sizes will help the project achieve higher efficiency, thus, saving fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions vis-à-vis conventional technology prevailing in the country.
Tata Power’s total installed generation capacity is about 4,772 MW and it has a presence in all the segments of the power sector, namely, generation (thermal, hydro, solar and wind), transmission, distribution and trading. It has acquired 30 per cent stake in coal companies in Indonesia.