General Electric has dispatched the first batch of gas turbines for Reliance Power's 2,400 MW Samalkot power project, a development that would help Anil Ambani group firm to begin production this year.
The despatch has been made ahead of schedule for the gas-based Samalkot project in Andhra Pradesh.
Sources said that US conglomerate has dispatched two gas turbines of 260 MW each from its South Carolina facility. These turbines were earlier scheduled to be released in May.
The advanced class 9FA fuel efficient machines for the project are expected to reach Samalkot in the latter half of May.
When contacted, a Reliance Power spokesperson confirmed that GE has dispatched the first two gas turbines for the Samalkot plant.
"The 2400 MW Samalkot Project is being executed on super- fast track basis and we are confident of starting power generation this year itself - in 2011," the spokesperson said.
Early arrival of shipments would help Reliance Power commission the gas-based project within the 11th five-year plan during which an estimated 51,000 MW power generation capacity is proposed to be added.
Upon commissioning, the Samalkot project would contribute over 16,000 million units (Kwh) to the Southern region.
Reliance Power had placed the main plant equipment order for the project with GE in October 2010. The order -- comprising of six gas turbines, three steam turbines and generators -- for its supported by long-term project recourse finance from the US Exim bank.
GE is responsible for maintenance of the power project throughout its operating life, along with guaranteed availability, output and efficiency. The order, that entails project outlay of over Rs 10,000 crore, is the largest order for GE in India, sources said.
Officials from the Power Ministry and Central Electricity Authority (CEA) are understood to be pleased with the developments after their visit to the GE facilities in South Carolina and New York this month.
