GMR Rajahmundry Energy Ltd (GREL), a subsidiary of GMR Energy Limited announced successful commencement of commercial operation of its 2X384MW Gas based combined cycle gas based power plant in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.
The commercial operation of the power plant commenced with the beginning of gas supply under e-bid RLNG Scheme (“Scheme for Utilization of Stranded Gas based power plants”), which was launched by Government of India in March, 2015. With the current scheduling the plant is expected to run for at least a month.
With the beginning of e-bid RLNG Scheme, the 768MW power plant can now operate at 50% Plant Load Factor (PLF), thereby generating 384 MW and supplying power to AP Discoms continuously. The plant will operate with clean fuel thus making the power generation environment friendly. GREL is a combined cycle power plant with natural gas and generates power using GE’s advanced class technology of gas turbines (GE Frame 9 FA).
Current Operations will continue upto March 2016, depending on gas availability and thereafter Government of India will call for a fresh round of bidding in March 2016.
The gas based plant was awarded allocation of gas last month along with GMR Vemagiri Power Generation Limited (GVPGL), which has already got operational recently. Both the plants are located adjacent to each other.
Commenting on the development, a GREL spokesperson said: “We are happy to receive the gas under e-bid RLNG Scheme from the Government of India and announce commencement of commercial operation of GMR Rajahmundry Energy Ltd, which will help in rationalizing the power tariff and improve the power supply scenario of the State. The revenue generated through this will facilitate the GMR Energy Limited to cover O&M expenses and service the interest cost.”
As per the scheme, the government will subsidize the power distribution companies to the extent of Rs.1.44 per unit from the Power Sector Development Fund.
GMR Vemagiri Power Generation Ltd and GMR Rajahmundry Energy Ltd— with a combined capacity of 1156 MW will be supplied with imported natural gas through the government's reverse auction process of “Scheme for Utilization of Stranded Gas based power plants. GMR Energy has already secured coal security for all its coal-based assets worth 3,000 MW.
About GMR Infrastructure Limited:
GMR Group is a leading global infrastructure conglomerate with interests in Airport, Energy, Transportation and Urban Infrastructure. The group has fifteen power generation projects of which ten are operational and five are under development; nine operating road assets and a double rail track line between Mughalsarai-New Bhaupur (Kanpur) of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor under development.
GMR Group developed and operates India’s busiest and currently World’s No1 Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and greenfield Rajiv Gandhi international airport at Hyderabad. GMR Infrastructure in partnership with Megawide Construction Corporation is developing Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Philippines. The Group is also developing two Special Investment Regions at Krishnagiri and Kakinada and India’s largest Smart Airport City near Hyderabad International Airport.
GMR Group, through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, carries out community-based development initiatives at 22 different locations in the areas of education; health, hygiene and sanitation; empowerment and livelihoods; and community development.
For further information about GMR Group, visit http://www.gmrgroup.in/index.html
