 "Power lines struggle to draw private firms")
Bajaj Group comes a step closer to becoming the largest private power producer in Uttar Pradesh with the synchronisation of the third 660 megawatt (Mw) unit of its 1,980 Mw thermal power plant in Lalitpur district of the state.
Earlier, the first and second units of 660 mw had been commissioned in September 2015 and January 2016 respectively and had already achieved full load capacity. The third unit is projected to attain full load soon.
Lalitpur Power Generation Company Limited (LPGCL), part of the Kushagra Bajaj-led Bajaj Group, is setting up the Rs 16,000 crore power plant in the arid Lalitpur region.
Besides, the company has achieved a feat of sorts with the successful synchronisation of all the three units of the 3X660 mw plant within a fiscal 2015-16.
Meanwhile, transmission lines for full evacuation of energy produced at the plant are being installed and the work is likely to be completed by June 2016.
Once completed, the Bajaj plant would supply nearly 40 percent of the consolidated energy generated by the private thermal power plants in UP.
Currently, the Bajaj Group firms, including LPGCL and Bajaj Energy Private Limited, together account for almost 25 percent of energy supplied by private thermal power producers to UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL).
Bajaj Energy general power at co-generation (cogen) plants installed at five of its sugar mills owned by the Group in UP. It has installed capacity of 450 mw (5X90 mw). These cogen units use bagasse (a sugarcane byproduct) and coal to fire these units during the sugarcane crushing season and off-season respectively.
UPPCL supplies power bought from different sources to discoms for distribution to consumers. Apart from state owned power plants, UPPCL procures power through energy exchange, imports from central sector, through bilateral agreements with other state governments/agencies etc.
