The 1000 MW Simhadri Thermal Power Project, coming up at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, would be commissioned as per schedule, according to the project promoter, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

The optimism is despite the fact that there has been a delay of over one year in receiving the second tranche of loan from Japan Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC).

The cooling towers and the critical components of the main plant have been installed. (It may be recalled that on 28 March 2001, there was an accident at the site when the access tower of one of the cooling towers came down crashing, even killing six persons.)

It is presently believed that the first phase of the project (500 MW) would be commissioned by March 2002, which would be forty months from the zero date. As such, this would be the fastest power project to be implemented by NTPC. The present record is held by Vindhyachal Power Project of West Bengal that came up in 48 months.

The second phase of the project would be commissioned within three to four months of the first phase. There is scope for expanding the capacity by another 500 MW, but no such expansion is envisaged till 2007, at least.

The Simhadri Power Project is one the largest projects currently underway in Andhra Pradesh. The Rs.3651 crore project envisages the setting up of a 1000 MW coal-based power plant (2 x 500 MW) near Pittavanipalom Village in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. The project is being executed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) on a turnkey basis.

The Simhadri Power Project is significant to Andhra Pradesh since all the power generated by the plant would be consumed exclusively by the State. This power project is also expected to take Andhra Pradesh’s power availability to a comfortable level.