AGARTALA, Jan 16 (TIWN): Much after the gas turbine has started generating power in full swing; the steam turbine capable of generating 36 MW was also put on roll for generating power on a trial basis but was put on halt from Friday. Talking to TIWN correspondent, NEEPCO GM SR Biswas said that the steam turbine capable of generating 36 MW was rolled on for generation on trial basis and the trial run was successful. Adding to that NEEPCO GM SR Biswas further said that although the trial run of generating power from the steam turbine was successful but is being now put on halt for routine check up. He also said that the gas turbine is continuing generation in full swing and the steam turbine will blow its generation within next 12 days. With the aim to conduct the routine check up, the steam turbine which is capable of generating 36MW is being put on halt to conduct the routing check up.Routine check up is necessary to monitor the technicalities of the gas turbine for conducting generation in full load, added Biswas. In fact, the gas turbine began generating power in full load after ONGC has pumped in .5 MMSCMD gas to Monarchak. The NEEPCO authority said that they took calculated risk and began running the Steam Turbine with full load producing 36.42 MW power during the trial run. Biswas further added that state government had inked a power purchase agreement with the NEEPCO to buy entire power; Power Minister Manik Dey is reluctant to do the same because of high costing of power.The power generated from gas turbine is fully absorbed by TSECL and it is not sold outside the state, added Biswas.

It is to be mentioned here that 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 and it is expected that the steam turbine will began generation in next 12 days after the conduct of the routine check up.

He also said that NEEPCO is now getting 0.5 MSCMPD gas from ONGC and the generation from gas turbine is underway in fullswing.

Northeast India's one of the biggest gas based-power projects in Tripura will be able to generate 101MW electricity in one month as assured by NEEPCO GM S.R. Biswas.