AGARTALA, May 31 (TIWN): As reported by tripurainfoway.com, the OTPC switched on the Palatana thermal power unit-I today around 4.30 pm in presence of BHEL engineers, official sources confirmed here tonight.However, the plant was placed under shut down after the unit developed some minor problems. At 7.30 pm, the plant has got operational producing 13 MW power till 9.30 pm.OTPC sources claimed, the engineers would try to operate the turbines with full-load after midnight. If this is happened, the Project Guarantee Test (PGT) of the mega power project’s first unit will be successful.

The Palatana unit-I was placed under shut down since May 17 due to PGT affecting the power supply severely. As per the agreement, the state receives 80/85 MW power from Palatana thermal power plant.

To tackle the shortage of power, Tripura State Power Corporation Ltd (TSECL) has been buying power from various agencies. In spite of the contingency plan, consumers are experiencing power cut ranging from one and half hours to two hours. However, TSECL hopes the situation will improve once the mega power plant is switched on.

According TSECL sources, today’s pick-hour demand was 240 MW while supply stood around 160/170 MW leading a gap of around 80 MW power.  However, the situation is expected to get improved by tomorrow if the PGT appears successful.

Meanwhile, the OTPC is gearing up to start commercial operation of Palatana unit-II by September next. But it depends on the gas supply for the second unit of Palatana.