By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Oct 23: In what could be a big boost for Assam�s power scenario, the Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station (BTPS), which has not been functioning since last year, will be revived through the joint efforts of three public sector enterprises, according to sources at the ASEB.
BTPS was set up with four units producing a total of 240 MW of electricity. However, since the last decade, production had declined and the units had been shut down one after the other. The Station has not been producing any electricity since last year. No private party had expressed interest in taking over the plant. Now, after extensive discussions, the Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), and the Central Electricity Authority have stepped forward to revive the BTPS.
NTPC will be the consultant supervisor on behalf of the ASEB, whereas the overall monitoring of the renovation and modernization work will be done by the Central Electricity Authority. "The revival of BTPS will be done in two phases. In the first phase, two units will be revived, which will produce a total of 120 MW of electricity. This phase will cost Rs 180 crore, of which Rs 100 crore will be provided by the Central Electricity Authority under the provisions of the current plan," sources at the ASEB informed The Sentinel.
Meanwhile, engineers from BHEL have visited the plant earlier this month and studied its power generation system. "The Residual Life Assessment (RLA) study of the plant has already been flagged off," sources added. Work on the two remaining units of BTPS will begin after the completion of the first phase of renovation. Revival of the entire plant is expected to be completed within two years.
Concurrently, work is also progressing for registration and setting up of a separate company, called Assam Power Generation Corporation (APGC) to take over power generation in the State, sources revealed. "Eventually, all power generation assets of the ASEB will be handed over to this company. The partnership developed by the ASEB with the NTPC, BHEL and Central Electricity Authority for the revival of BTPS will be carried on by the proposed new corporation," sources added.
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