UDAIPUR, August 7 (TIWN): Whatever, the ONGC Tripura Asset Manager V P Mahawar has assured about the gas supply to OTPC Unit-II or NEEPCO sponsored Manachak plant, practically OTPC is not likely to start commercial generation from UNIT-II of the 726.6MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Thermal Power Project before October this year. This means that in the upcoming Durga Puja Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) will face serious problems in managing the huge load of power that will be the huge demands especially from Maha Shasthi to Bijoya Dashami. It is, however, expected that TSECL will try to buy additional power to meet the demand at that time.

Last week ONGC TRIPURA Asset Manager told the media persons that already ONGC is working to initiate process in gas pipeline with a target of providing gas to Manarchak and Palatana Unit-II by September this year. But according to a top level ONGC official, "It is most unlikely that the gas supply process will begin from September. At present it is only in the initial process. And it will be quite early to make any specific statement on the exact date for supplying gas to Unit-II of OTPC." However, the official hinted that ONGC may be in a position to supply gas to Manarchak by mid September.

      According to an OTPC engineer it is uncertain from when the Unit-I will start Commercial Generation. Because before Commercial Generation, the technicians of BHEL and OTPC will go through some experimental works. Such works include:-

1) First time Testing

2) Full Load Testing

3) 72 hours uninterrupted compulsory full load (363.3MW) generation

4) First time synchronization (combine the Gas and Steam Turbine)

     The engineer further added that OTPC and BHEL engineers will take minimum one and half months time to complete these preparations. Speaking to TIWN over phone on Thursday the engineer said," Recently ONGC Director (Onshore) Ashok Verma and OTPC MD S K Dubey visited the okant. They held meetings with OTPC officials and TSECL officials but none of them gave any confirmation about the Commercial Generation." However, the engineer confirmed TIWN that the Gas Booster Compressors which were sent to BHEL's manufacturing unit Hyderabad, reached Palatana after the repairs. Now the plant has all the three Gas Booster Compressors that the plant needs.

      The matter of concern is that if OTPC can't start Commercial Generation from the Unit-II before October, it will be a huge problem regarding Indo-Bangla MOU for supplying 100MW power to Bangladesh. Last week a decision has been taken by the State Power Department, TSECL in presence of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and official of Bangladesh govt that from December this year Bangladesh will get 100MW power from Tripura. But with the recent development it is highly uncertain how Tripura can supply such power to Bangladesh. It is now expected that Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Power Minister Manik Dey will communicate with high officials of INGC and OTPC about the immediate steps to be taken for gas supply.