Khaperkheda TPS registers stupendous performance during pandemic period
| Date :11-Oct-2020 |
Staff Reporter :
Despite facing challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown, and slump in economic activities, Khaperkheda Thermal Power Station (TPS) has registered a stupendous performance. According to Prakash Khandare, Chief Engineer of Khaperkheda TPS, at least two units of the station registered uninterrupted power generation for 100 days or more. As on September 10, Khaperkheda TPS created a sort of record when its Unit No 4, Unit No 5, and Unit No 1 registered uninterrupted power generation for 105, 100, and 87 days in a row. During this period, despite drop in demand for power, Khandare led Khaperkheda TPS and ensured that it generated power.
For the purpose, he had prepared a plan. The plan was drawn up to respond to the challenging situation created by a variety of factors including rainfall that was 23.40 per cent above the average in Vidarbha region, handling wet coal, COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown etc. The total generation capacity of Khaperkheda TPS is 1,340 MW. The unit-wise generation capacity is as follows: Unit No 1, Unit No 2, Unit No 3, and Unit No 4 -- 210 MW each, and Unit No 5 -- 500 MW. Unit No 3 was in generation for 12 days in a row. Unit No 2 was in generation for 32 days. Unit No 1 generated power for 87 days in a row. Unit No 4 registered power generation for a record 105 days in an uninterrupted manner.
Besides, the highest capacity Unit No 5 registered power generation for 100 days in a row, stated the Chief Engineer in a press release. The deemed availability was also impressive. The deemed availability of Unit No 4 and Unit No 5 was 98.39 per cent and 97.55 per cent respectively. The deemed availability of Unit No 1 was the highest -- 99.52 per cent. Whereas, it was 60.74 per cent for Unit No 2, and 89.67 per cent for Unit No 3. Unit No 4 also recorded the highest deemed plant load factor (PLF) of 90.74 per cent, followed by Unit No 5 recording deemed PLF of 88.59 per cent. As far as loadability is concerned, it was the highest 84.26 per cent in case of Unit No 5, followed by 80.22 per cent for Unit No 4.
Apart from these parameters, Khandare added, Khaperkheda TPS was successful in keeping the rate of fuel oil cost below the limit set by Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission. As far as fighting COVID-19 pandemic is concerned, he said, the power station implemented ‘My Department, My Responsibility’ initiative on the lines of State Government’s ‘My Family, My Responsibility’ campaign. “We could achieve stupendous results due to guidelines received from Mahagenco headquarters, adequate availability of coal, and hard work put in by officials, engineers, employees, and contractual workers,” stated Khandare.