AGARTALA, Dec 31 (TIWN): Northeast India's one of the biggest gas based-power projects in Tripura will be able to generate 101 MW electricity in next ten days as assured by NEEPCO GM S.R. Biswas. Talking to TIWN correspondent, NEEPCO GM S.R. Biswas said that Monarchak will be able to generate 101 MW of electricity within next ten days. He also said that the gas turbine is now producing 65 MW on a regular basis and within next ten days the steam turbine capable of generating 36 MW will be able to generate power in full swing. However, at first NEEPCO has switched on to the gas turbine worth generating 65 MW on a regular basis and the processing for operating the steam turbine(36 MW) has also begun and Monarchak will be soon able to take the load of 101 MW electricity in coming days, added Biswas. Once Monarchak begins power generation in full load, the entire 101 MW would be given to Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) which would further resolve the electricity crisis of the North East region at a large extent, said Biswas. NEEPCO GM S.R.Biswas further clarified that there is no problem in gas supply and ONGC is continuously supplying gas to Monarchak. 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.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. The power generated is fully 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 Monarchak power 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.

The northeast is going to be power surplus region if Monarchak continues to generate power as per planned projection.