UDAIPUR, May 17(TIWN) : OTPC's 726.6mw Combined Cycle Gas Turbine(CCGT) Thermal Power Plant is all set for Performance Gurantee Test as the engineers of BHEL have gone for a 'Complete Shutdown' of the 1st Unit of the plant from 11.30 pm on Saturday night in the build up of Performance Guarantee Test(PGT).

According to TIWN sources in OTPC,  as part of preparatory attempt 'Complete Shutdown' started from 11.30pm on Saturday night. The sources said that the shutdown will continue upto 20th May as it is essential to have shut down in the build up to PGT as the BHEL engineers along with the Kolkata based Development Consultant Private Limited(DCPL) will look into whether there is any leakage in any of the vital equipments like Steam and Gas Turbines, Gas Booster Compressors, Heat Recovery Steam Generator(HRSG), ONGC's Gas Pipeline etc. An engineer of BHEL told to TIWN Corresoondent over phone that the BHEL and OTPC engineers investigate whether any rectification is required or there is any electrical problem to be sorted out before the PGT begins. If the engineers are satisfied with the required parameters , then 'All Clear' will be given for PGT. It is expected that the primary test will continue upto 20th May and during this period power supply to Nation Power Grid Bongaingaon will remain stopped due to shut down. The engineer categorically told TIWN that by 20th May the BHEL and OTPC will be in a position to start the PGT provided that everything goes well from 17th to 20th May. Now it is clear that during these three days Tripura and some other N E states will face severe power crisis. Once the PGT commences, the plant will have to run in full load (363.3MW) generation and then again power supply to Power Grid will become normal.

   In this regard TIWN correspondent had a telephonic chat with the CMD of Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) Shyamal Kumar Roy, who told TIWN, " During the next few days there will be one and half hours to two hours duration power cuts across the state due to the PGT." CMD also hinted lack of funds in TSECL that non-payment of electricity bills by a section of consumers as well as 'illegal hooking' is responsible for the lack of funds. When asked about whether TSECL will go for legal action against illegal hooking, CMD said that with the man-power TSECL has it can't do anything concrete unless the local elected bodies assist the TSECL.

   Tripura State Electric Corporation Limited (TSECL) has managed to ensure supply of an additional amount of 50 MW of power from NTPC and PTC to meet the power demand during the peak-load hours for a week, with effect from Saturday said Manik Dey minister for power

Power.   Minister also said that loadshedding will occur during the 'Routine Check up' of OTPC and BHEL. He said, " From NERLDC , Tripura gets 90-92mw of power as part of its share from OTPC. And at present Tripura's own productiom is around 100mw. But the pick hour demand in the state is 240-247mw. To cope with this demand TSECL is having around 40mw as 'Purchase Power'. But due to PGT in OTPC the crisis will worsen and it can't be solved over night." The Minister said that as per official information the PGT process will be of seven days but it may be completed earlier or even be delayed if any technical problem arises. Manik Dey also told that TSECL is sincerely trying so that the situation can be controlled by giving loadshedding not more than one and half hours.

   Meanwhile TIWN source in the OTPC adds that though the entire process will be completed by 23rd of May engineers and technical experts of BHEL, OTPC and DCPL have set a target of three days to complete the preparatory experiments. As soon as it done PGT will be on and power supply to Power Grid will again begin. As of now it is absolutely clear that Tripura will have power shortage upto 20th May due to PGT in OTPC's Palatana Plant.