The Capital’s wait for power from Dadri just got longer. The first unit of the 980-MW plant that had a commissioning date of December 2009 will now be able to generate power only by January 2010. The second unit will be commissioned by June 2010, which means Delhi will have to depend on alternative sources to meet the demand for power during the winter months.
According to State Power Department officials, the first unit of 450 MW will be commissioned by January 2010, but the production is likely to hover around 200-250 MW, while the second unit of 500 MW will be commissioned only by June 2010.
Delhi is scheduled to get 90 per cent of the power generated from NTPC’s 980 MW project in Dadri, which is among the projects crucial for the upcoming Commonwealth Games next year.
“The power distribution companies will have to make alternative arrangements for winter. They should not bank on Dadri,” said a senior government official, directing the power distribution companies to ensure that their tie-ups are in place.
While NDPL has already made arrangements, BSES is yet to affirm its agreements for the months between November and February.
Unable to cite details of the tie-ups both BRPL and BYPL have made, a BSES spokesperson, however, was quick to add: “We have made more than adequate arrangements for the winter. Since there will be more power available than required, we are planning to bank 250 million units with some States for future use in summer.”
NDPL, on the other hand, has announced tie-ups with Jindal Power Limited besides companies in Karnataka, Gujarat and Haryana. A company spokesperson said: “For November we will get 55 MW from Jindal Power Limited, 25 MW have been banked with Meghalaya through NVVNL, and 21 MW will come from Rana Sugar Limited through Tata Power Trading Company Limited.”
For December, the company has made arrangements to procure 100 MW from Jindal Power Limited. From December 16 to 31 another 50 MW will come from JSW Power Karnataka.
“From January 1 to 31, 64 MW will come from Haryana under banking arrangements and 75 MW from Torrent, Gujarat. Also, 65 MW will be available in February from Haryana under banking,” an NDPL spokesperson said on Friday.
