ONGC Tripura Power Company has been making significant strides in the energy sector. The company has been actively involved in the development of power projects in the state of Tripura.
The ONGC Tripura Power Company has been working on a 726 MW power project, which is expected to be completed soon. This project aims to provide electricity to the entire state of Tripura.
The company has also been successful in generating 1,100 MW of electricity from its existing power plants. This has significantly contributed to the state's power generation capacity.
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ONGC Tripura Power Company News
The ONGC Tripura Power Company has a significant project in Palatana, Tripura, which started generating electricity in October 2013.
The power plant is a 726 MW commercial project, with an initial output of 40 to 50 MW of electricity.
The project was set up by the ONGC, Tripura government, and IL&FS through their joint company, OTPC. Sudhindra Kumar Dube, the managing director of OTPC, is optimistic about the plant's potential to resolve the power crisis in several northeastern states.
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The first unit of the project, which is 363 MW, is ready to supply power, and it's up to the NERLDC to distribute it among the northeastern states.
Production of power from the second unit, also 363 MW, is expected to start by the end of 2013 or early 2014.
The power project is a major investment opportunity for the region, with estimated investments of around Rs.10,000 crore.
A 400 KV high transmission power line, 680 km long, has been drawn up to connect the project with the Bongaigaon national grid in western Assam.
The project has also received support from the Bangladesh government, which ensured the smooth passage of project equipment through its territory by waterways from Haldia port in West Bengal.
The consortium of General Electric and BHEL has been contracted to supply the gas turbines for the thermal power project.
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Challenges and Delays
The ONGC Tripura Power project is facing significant challenges that may lead to delays and potential abandonment.
The project's logistics hurdle is a major concern, as shipping equipment through Bangladesh is proving to be difficult.
Transporting equipment by road within India is extremely difficult, which is why ONGC planned to ship it from the Haldia Port in West Bengal to Bangladesh and then to Tripura.
However, equipment makers have shown limited interest in the project due to transportation issues, which is a major setback.
Five companies, including Bhel, Alstom, and Larsen and Toubro, had initially shown interest in the project but only two, Alstom and Bhel, placed final bids.
Bhel emerged as the lowest bidder, but the project's future remains uncertain due to the logistics hurdle.
The power ministry has been drawing attention to the poor infrastructure affecting the delivery of power generation equipment.
India's transportation infrastructure is a major problem, leaving a lot to be desired, especially when it comes to inland sites.
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ONGC's Initiatives
ONGC's Tripura power plant has formally announced the launch of commercial operations of its first unit of the 3 MW Palatana power plant. The plant is capable of injecting 8.7 million units per day in the power grid.
The Ministry of Power has allocated more than 58 per cent of power from the project to the Northeast states. Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram will receive a significant amount of power.
The power project is a joint venture between ONGC, the Tripura government, and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Service Limited (IL&FS). ONGC-Tripura Power Company Limited (OTPC) was formed to set up the combined cycle project.
A 400 KV double circuit transmission network has been created from Palatana power project upto Bongaigaon in Assam to evacuate power from the plant. This transmission network is 661 kms in length and has been created through a special purpose vehicle called North-East Transmission Company Limited (NETCL).
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Gail Buys 26% Stake
GAIL acquired a 26% stake in ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC) from IL&FS Group companies.
This stake was acquired from IL&FS Energy Development Company Limited and IL&FS Financial Services Limited.
The transaction was concluded by signing a Deed of Adherence (DoA) to the Shareholders Agreement of OTPC.
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GAIL had participated in an open bidding process of IL&FS and emerged as the successful bidder.
The acquisition is synergistic for GAIL, enabling it to strengthen its presence in the North Eastern Region of the country.
GAIL is India's leading natural gas company with diversified interests across the natural gas value chain.
OTPC owns and operates a 726.6 MW gas-based combined cycle power plant in Palatana, Tripura.
The remaining equity in OTPC is held by ONGC (50%), Government of Tripura (0.50%), and India Infrastructure Fund GIP II (23.50%).
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Ongc Starts Generating
ONGC has made significant strides in generating power, particularly in Tripura. The company's Tripura power project started generating electricity in 2013, producing 40 to 50 mw of electricity initially.
The project, which is a joint venture between ONGC, the Tripura government, and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Service Limited (IL&FS), has been instrumental in resolving the power crisis in Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Tripura.
A 400 KV high transmission power line has been drawn up to Silchar in southern Assam from Palatana to connect with the Bongaigaon national grid in western Assam. This transmission line is 680 km long.
The power project has also brought in investments of around Rs.10,000 crore in the region. The project is a hallmark of cooperation between India and Bangladesh, which ensured smooth passage of heavy project equipment and turbines to Palatana through its territory by waterways from Haldia port in West Bengal.
The project's first unit, which has a capacity of 363 MW, is ready to supply power to the northeastern states. The second unit, also with a capacity of 363 MW, is expected to start production by the end of the year or early next year.
The power generated from the project is allocated to the northeastern states as follows: Assam (240 MW), Tripura (196 MW), Meghalaya (79 MW), Manipur (42 MW), Nagaland (27 MW), Arunachal Pradesh & Mizoram (22 MW each), and 98 MW to ONGC for merchant sales.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tripura gas based power project?
The Tripura Gas Based Combined Cycle project is a joint venture between NTPC and NEEPCO, located in Tripura, India. It's a major power project situated near Agartala, the state capital.
When was ONGC Tripura established?
ONGC Tripura Power Company was established in September 2008 as a joint venture between ONGC, IL&FS, and the Government of Tripura. This marked the beginning of a significant energy partnership in the region.
Is ONGC to increase gas production in Tripura to feed power plants official?
Yes, ONGC plans to increase gas production in Tripura to feed power plants. The target is to reach 4 MMSCMD gas production within the next year.
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