R-Power may commission UMPP ahead of schedule

With the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission approving changes in configuration of the Krishnapatnam ultra mega power project, Reliance Power will be able to commission the 4,000-Mw project eight months ahead of schedule.

The company is implementing the project through Coastal Andhra Power Ltd, its subsidiary.

The company, while bidding for the project, had proposed to set up five units of 800 Mw each. It later asked CERC to allow the company to change this to six of 660 Mw each.

If this was okayed, it had said, it would advance commissioning of the first unit by three months and of the project by eight months.

CERC has done so and the coastal Krishnapatnam UMPP will now be commissioned in July 2015. The first unit will be ready by June 2013, three months ahead of schedule.

CERC's order said the change in the unit configuration would not have affected the bid evaluation process and the selection of CAPL as a successful bidder, which is why they approved the proposal from 5x800 Mw to 6x660 Mw units.

The company would now have to enter into written agreements with the procurers in line with the CERC order.

According to sources, the company was already importing equipment for 660 Mw for its Sasan UMPP. It would make it easier for the company to implement Krishnapatnam with 660 Mw equipment.

The project achieved financial closure last month.

The company has raised debt of Rs 13,125 crore (Rs 131.25 billion) from 15 banks to finance this project, at an estimated cost of Rs 17,500 crore (Rs 175 billion).

The project will supply power at Rs 2.33 per unit to four states.