OPGC halts 420 MW power plant due to technical glitch.

State-run thermal power producer Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) has halted power generation at its Jharsuguda facility as both of its units, of 210 MW each, have been shut down due to technical glitch.

While unit 1 stopped working after getting hit by lightning on August 28, the company authorities decided to halt power generation from unit 2 suspecting fluid leakage.

'We had to halt unit 2 recently as we suspected leakage of hydrogen from it. We hope to restart it within 8-10 days after repairing it,' said Dillip Panda, head of HR, OPGC. The company, meanwhile, is taking steps to bring back unit 1 into workable condition, but did not mention about any time period for it.

'We have invited experts of BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd) to resolve the matter on a war footing,' he added. OPGC, a state-owned PSU where US power major AES has 49 per cent stake, produces 420 Mw power from two of its coal-fired power units situated at Banharpali in Jharsuguda district. These plants, set up in 1995, often face maintenance problems. OPGC is investing heavily to upgrade these plants along with plans to increase its capacity by establishment of two more power units.


BS