Anil Ambani-led Reliance Power announced on Tuesday that its R10,000-crore Samalkot project is ready for commissioning. The 2400-MW project is the largest gas-based power plant in Andhra Pradesh.
The project, which has been recommended gas allocation of 9.6 MMSCMD (million metric standard
cubic metre per day) by the ministry of power, is still awaiting gas supplies. The empowered group of ministers on gas is expected to meet next week to decide on gas allocation for the core sector including already commissioned gas-based power projects like Samalkot.
The project commissioning is a world record in itself as it is the fastest gas-based project executed in just 15 months, said JP Chalasani, CEO, Reliance Power.
The main plant equipments for this project have been supplied by General Electric and the entire capacity is expected to be commissioned in combined cycle by the end of 2012.
“We await the allocation of domestic natural gas from the government and look forward to provide environment-friendly clean and green power to the southern region,” Chalasani said. “The project is strategically located near the prolific KG Natural Gas Basin and would contribute to reduce the deficit in the power-starved Southern Region”.