The first 500 Mw unit of the Madwa thermal power project promoted by the state-run Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company (CSPGC) started the commercial production.
The company is setting up 1000 Mw power project in Janjgir-Champa district. The project having two units of 500 Mw each was supposed to be completed in 2012 but was delayed because of land acquisition and other issues.
“The first 500 Mw unit of Madwa power project started the commercial production from March 31,” Chief Minister Raman Singh, who holds the additional portfolio of energy department, said.
The unit was synchronized with the grid after the successful technical test that continued for over 15 days, he said, adding that the second unit would also start commercial production soon. The state was on fast track to achieve its mission of “power for all”, he added.
With the first unit of Madwa power project started commercial production, the installed power capacity in Chhattisgarh would enhance by 500 Mw to 2924.70 Mw.
Singh said that the power production in the state sector had increased by 78 per cent in last 15 years. While it was 1360 Mw when the state came into being in November 2000, the capacity had increased to 2424.70 Mw before the Madwa power plant started production.
Of the installed capacity, 2780 Mw would be generated by the thermal power plants, 138.7 Mw from the hydel power projects and 6 Mw from the sugar bag based co-generation plant setup in the Bhoramdeo sugar factory of Kabeerdhan district.