Gas turbine problems at Dabhol
Maharashtra faces the prospect of more power cuts following a partial shutdown of the R-LNG fuelled Dabhol power station.
Ratnagiri Gas, a JV between GAIL and NTPC, set up to manage the Enron-promoted plant, confirms to PETROWATCH that Dabhol is generating only 800-MW from earlier output of 1300-MW. Damage to the blades and vanes of one of two gas turbines forced Ratnagiri Gas to partially shut down the 740-MW Block II of the plant last week.
Turbine manufacturer General Electric has asked for four months to repair the damage but Ratnagiri Gas is hoping GE can resolve the problem within two months – latest by end-March. Only Block I, with an installed capacity of 670-MW is fully functional.
Dabhol receives R-LNG through the newly laid GAIL pipeline from Petronet-LNG’s import terminal at Dahej into Maharashtra. Total capacity of the Dabhol power plant is 2144-MW.
Ratnagiri Gas says it wants to fully commission the 740-MW Block III by the end of March.