Punjab NEWSEXPRESS
Outsourcing renovation of Bhakra left bank units boomerangs
June 04, 2012 12:13 PM
By Vinod Gupta
NANGAL: The move of BBMB to outsource the Renovation and Modernisation of Bhakra left bank Units 2 and 5 boomerangs as the Andritz of Austria has failed to commission the units despite a time over run of 12 months. The original equipment manufacturer of turbines is Hitachi.
The renovation work of 108 MW hydro units at Bhakra left bank power house of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has been moving at snail pace much to the discomfort of partner states. The delay in commissioning of Unit 2 is leading to shortfall in peaking capability of Bhakra power house.
The renovation work of 108 MW hydro units at Bhakra left bank power house of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has been moving at snail pace much to the discomfort of partner states. The delay in commissioning of Unit 2 is leading to shortfall in peaking capability of Bhakra power house.
With one unit of 126 MW out the direct impact is reduced peaking and increased power cuts on partner States due to the non - availability of this power.
As per 67th. Operation Consultative Committee meeting of Northern Regional Power Committee the revival dates of unit 2 was September 30 2011 which has now been revised number of times.
BBMB awarded the contract for renovation and Modernisation (R&M) works to the lowest bidder ,a consortium of three overseas firms -- Japan's Sumitomo Corporation and Hitachi, and Austria-based Andritz Group at an approximate cost of Rs 490 crore. R&M works of all 5 units of left bank was to be completed by March 2013 in a phased manner.
The renovation work of unit no. 2 was started on April 26, 2010 and was to be completed one year has been delayed by more than one year. According to sources the R & M activities for unit-2 have been delayed due to design and quality issues. The lack of competence and delay in decision making by the Andritz Hydro India has led to inordinate delays in the construction schedules.
BBMB officials maintain that the initial approach of company was not correct. BBMB took up the matter with the Andritz Austria after a very long delay. Andritz has now made some changes in design and some works has been redone.
BBMB official feel that once unit 2 is renovated there would not be any problem in subsequent units as the company would have gained the requisite experience. The officials feel that unit 2 now will be renovated by October within the revised scheduled.
As per the latest updates from sources R & M of unit 5 which was scheduled to be completed by November 15 2011 has now been revised to December 2012. Here again the delay is more than one year. BBMB officials still maintains that there were no deliberate delays.
According to BBMB officials R&M works of unit 4, 3 and 1 will be taken in a phased manner after the completion of ongoing works of unit 2 &5. BBMB hopes to commission these units by July 2013, February 2014 and September 2014 respectively.