Withdraw award to thermal plant: Engineers
Kiran Deep
Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, April 5
In yet another setback to the state government, the Planning Commission has expressed doubts over the reliability and success of Chinese equipment for thermal power stations in India.

The state has two thermal plants - the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant of 600 MW in Yamunanagar and the Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant, Khedar, Hisar (2x600 MW) - which use Chinese technology and equipment.

Expressing concern over the functioning of these thermal plants following the remarks of the Planning Commission, the All-India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has sought the Prime Minister’s intervention in the matter so that public interest is no more harmed while awarding contracts of thermal plants.

Earlier, the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission and a CAG report had also pointed out many shortcomings in the construction of the Yamunanagar thermal plant.

“The unsatisfactory performance of Chinese units under the EPC contract of Reliance at the Yamunanagar thermal plant has been highlighted by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission and also by the CAG.

However, instead of being cautioned by the bad experience of the Yamunanagar thermal plant, the state government is all praise for the construction work at the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant, Khedar, in Hisar district,” AIPEF general secretary Shailendra Dubey said in a letter to the Prime Minister and the Power Ministry.

The contract for the Yamunanagar thermal plant was awarded to Reliance, which sourced the equipment from China.

Even though the commercial operation for unit-1 was declared on April 14, 2008, and for unit-2 on June 24, 2008, the performance guarantee test of these units was not conducted.

As a result these units have not been taken over by the HPGCL, he further said in the letter.

“The AIPEF urges the Centre to withdraw the golden shield awarded to the Yamunanagar thermal plant on false claims so that Reliance may be more careful in executing the Hisar thermal power plant, particularly in view of the concern expressed by the Planning Commission,” he added.