AGARTALA, Dec 26 (TIWN): On the one hand where a unit of Palatana Power Plant is under shut down due to the dearth of gas supply from ONGC, it is seen that the 101MW Monarchak is generating power in full swing with ample amount of gas supply from ONGC, said NEEPCO GM SR Biswas. Talking to TIWN correspondent on Thursday, NEEPCO GM S.R.Biswas said that there is no problem in gas supply and ONGC is continuously supplying gas to Monarchak, and Monarchak power plant is also able to generate a total of 65 to 70 MW power on an average. He also said that if ONGC continues its gas supply, Monarchak will be able to take full load and there will be no dearth of electricity in the state. Powered by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Tripura's 101 MW gas-based Monarchak power plant was completely shut down due to lack of supply of gas from ONGC. Unable to get the required supply of gas from ONGC, Monarchak has faced a daily loss of Rs 17 lakhs which monthly stands at around 5 crore.However, NEEPCO GM SR Biswas on Thursday confirmed that power generation is underway and is generating about 60 to 70 MW daily on an average.He also said that NEEPCO has demanded 0.5 MSCMPD gas but ONGC is able to supply only 0.2 to 0.3 MSCMPD due to technical problems.

There are frequent interruptions also and ONGC will be able to supply 0.5 MSCMPD gas by the middle of 2016. ONGC is so far able to supply 0.40 mmscmd unit of gas supply to NEEPCO’s 101 MW Monarchak plant.

It is to be mentioned here that if everything goes well Monarchak will be able to generate above 70 MW unit of power. Powered by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Tripura's 101 MW gas-based Monarchak power plant has begin its power generation on a regular basis. The power generated is also absorbed by TSECL and it is not sold outside the state, added Biswas.

The ONGC, after many negotiations and meetings, decided to supply gas to the power plant. The foundation stone of the Monarchakpower project was laid during the previous National Democratic Alliance government in March 2002 and the Tripura government allotted the required land to NEEPCO in 2003.

 NEEPCO has set up the Rs.9.5 billion (nearly $150 million) 101 MW capacity gas-based power plant in western Tripura's Monarchak.

NEEPCO was set up in 1976 to plan, design, construct, generate, operate and maintain power stations in the northeastern region, comprising eight states including Sikkim.

The eight states have a population of 45.58 million and the peak hour demand of electricity is around 2,200 MW.