Raipur, Sep 14 (IANS) The Chhattisgarh government's 500 MW Korba East thermal power plant will begin commercial production from early 2007, a senior official said Thursday.
The government awarded a contract of Rs.15.72 billion to public sector, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), in April 2004 to instal 500 MW (250X2) coal fired power plant within three years.
K. Ravi Kumar, technical director BHEL, told Chief Minister Raman Singh Wednesday that both units of the Korba East will begin commercial production in first half of 2007, Vivek Dhand, principal secretary, energy, told IANS.
The Korba East will be the first ever power unit of the state government that will begin commercial production in record three years.
"The first phase of 250 MW will begin commercial power generation in March 2007 while the second and final unit of 250 mw will begin production latest by May 2007," Dhand said.
Chhattisgarh's current power production capacity is 1,405 mw including 1,280 mw from thermal plants and 125 mw from hydel plants.