Surat: Essar Power Hazira Ltd, a subsidiary of Essar Power Ltd, today announced commissioning of the second unit of its 2×135 MW power project in Hazira in South Gujarat.

The company said it has completed the task in a record 53 days—from IBR Hydrotest to final synchronisation— and it is among the swiftest commissioning for a unit of this size. The first unit was commissioned in July last year.

With this commissioning, the 270 MW power plant that is 100% captive to Essar Steel Hazira is now fully operational, the company said in its statement.

The plant can run on multiple fuels, like coal (both domestic and imported) and corex gas, simultaneously. The commissioning will bring down the power procurement cost of Essar Steel and also assure unmatched reliability and flexibility in steelmaking operations, the statement further said.

Close to 80 % of Essar Power’s targeted capacity of 6,100 MW, which comprises both captive and IPP assets, are now operational, it said.

Five of the plants in the company’s portfolio were PAT positive in FY2015-16.

Mr KVB Reddy, CEO, Essar Power, said: “Over the last two years, increased coal availability, both from domestic and overseas suppliers, as well as the strong operational efficiencies harnessed by Essar Power’s world-class technical team have helped improve performance significantly.”

DeshGujarat