Port Blair, Mar 16: The Chief Secretary (In-Charge) and Principal Secretary (Power) Mr. Jalaj Srivastava today said that the Andaman & Nicobar Administration are deeply distressed by the problems faced by the general public due to the sudden break-down of one 5 – MWs DG set of Surya Chakra Power Corporation, on Monday, 12/3/2012 causing one hour power cut in the morning and one hour in the evening on rotational basis.
Addressing a press conference today he further said that on 13/3/2012, SPCL further resorted to stoppage of another 5 – MWs DG set as a preventive measures for overhauling, since both these DG Sets had exceeded 20,000 hours beyond the overhauling date ( in other words they should have been serviced 2 ½ years ago ). Shut down of second D.G set has caused a total of two hours power cut in the morning and two hours in the evening causing acute discomfort to the public, especially during the examination time of children.
“While expressing our sympathy and solidarity with the public sentiments, this is to place on record for general information of the public, so that there is no mis-information on the subject. The PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) between A & N Administration and SPCL came into effect in 2003 and will end in 2018 (6 years from now). The power purchase agreement (PPA) is the final and binding contract (unless it is amended by both parties mutually). At the outset it is declared that Rs. 35 – 40 lakhs on account of O&M is given to SPCL by the Administration every month, as per the formality calculated under the PPA, and it is delivered on the last day of the month, invariably and without exception. In the context of Tsunami- related damages and other factors etc. the Administration had released on two occasions , assistance of Rs. 2.5 crores and Rs. 2.95 crores earlier ( the second amount in March, 2010),” Mr. Srivastava said.
He said that the SPCL have approached this Administration for Rs. 5.00 crores loan for overhauling/maintenance of the D.G Sets. It is important to know that firstly absolutely there is no clause in the existing PPA under which this Administration can give a loan for day to day work of the SPCL and secondly, the previous amount of Rs. 2.95 crores given in March, 2010 for the maintenance of three D.G sets was infact utilized for repair of only one set, and partial maintenance of another.
“As such, two sets viz. DG-I and DG-4 were entirely left un-repaired and these have exceeded 20,000 hours beyond the maintenance date. As such, this Administration is not in a position to grant Rs. 5.00 crores as loan, and we have advised SPCL to approach any commercial bank for the loan. For certain reasons they have not able to do so. In addition, we took their case for loan to the ANIIDCO also but the Board of Directors after due diligence and enquiry from the banks, decided that the loan cannot be granted,” Mr. Srivastava added.
He added that the Supdt. Engineer (Electricity) has been time and again pressing for grant of loan to the SPCL inspite of the above legal position. Presently, he is on long leave since Feb. end till first week of April. In the first week of March, SPCL asked for permission to open two old generators for repair. This Administration did not permit citing examination time as a reason, and advised that they may open one generator after 31st March, the second after completing of repair of first when the examination will be over.
This letter was sent to SPCL on 9/3/2012 on Monday, 12/3/2012 causing one hour power cut in the morning and one hour in the evening on rotational basis. Further, on Tuesday, 13/3/2012, SPCL further resorted to stoppage of another 5 – MWs DG set as a preventive measure for overhauling, since both these DG Sets had exceeded 20,000 hours beyond the overhauling date.
We have spoken to SPCL representative, who has assured us that the first D.G set will require spare parts for which purchase formalities will take some months, and for the second DG sets, they will make maximum efforts to get it operational somehow by March, 2012. On this, the power cuts of two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening should be reduced to one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening on rotational basis.
“Anticipating the need for power backup in Port Blair, the Chief Secretary in his weekly Coordination meeting since July, 2011 has been instructing for hiring of containerized DG sets which can be deployed within the very little time. However, S.E (Elec) has had assured in December, 2011 setting March, 2012 as its deployment period. It is informed that by the end of March, 2012, one M/s New Bharat will be able to deploy 5 MWs of additional power in Port Blair. With this, the entire power situation should be normal,” he added.
Mr. Srivastava added that, the proposal to hire three containerized DG Sets of total 15 MWs , is in process and we expect additional 15 MWs within three months or so. Thus apart from the existing capacity, 5 MWs of M/S New Bharat and an additional 15 MWs from the new hiring of containerized DG sets should provide a backup of power of 20 MWs , in other wards, even if entire Surya Chakra Power Plant would need to be maintained, there would be 20 MWs additional back up capacity so that there is no disruption of power.
“It would therefore, on our effort that after July, 2012, there would be no occasion for power cuts at all, not only during the examination time but also even the general power cuts which sometimes happen in normal situation. Apart from the O & M amount of Rs. 35 – 40 lakhs given monthly to SPCL, and since legally the Administration is not in a position to give Rs. 5.00 crores loan nevertheless SPCL have been asked to submit any pending claims so that we can clear them to provide for working capital for them, without prejudice to any other factors, and if needed, these amounts can be adjusted in the future O & M bills,” he added.
The SPCL have prepared a claim in respect of density of oil, worth Rs. 3.00 crores, which is being examined expeditiously. Besides, yesterly 15th March, 2012, this Administration has received a fax message from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) about the completed cost of the project, which is being examined and a decision would be taken thereon. It is purely with a view to assist the SPCL to complete the overhauling and maintenance of DG-4 generator and to avoid disruption in power supply.
“It is unfortunate that the collapse of one DG set and operational maintenance of the second, both totally 10 MWs of power shortage happened on the eve of the school examinations inspite of this Administration’s advise to SPCL. However, we are committed to normalize the power supply in ever manner possible. Infact, we have approached through e-mail and telephonically the various manufacturers/suppliers of containerized DG sets to ascertain whether any one of them can supply a 5 MWs set in 10 – 15 days or so and if so, we would straight away place order upon them, thereby leaving only 10 MWs for future tender,” he added.
