Delayed supply by BHEL hits NTPC's Rihand STPP-III hard

Delay in supply of steam and turbine generator components by BHEL is keeping the 500 MW unit-II of the Rihand stage-III expansion project in India from being comissioned on time.

Another issue that has created problems for the project is insufficient manpower for cooling tower works being executed by NBCC. Augmentation of manpower and timely delivery of equipment is a must, if NTPC is to commission the unit by March 2013.

The project is already running behind schedule. Earlier, the sixth unit of Rihand STPS was programmed to be commissioned by October 2012.

However, non-resolution of the above matters has forced NTPC to extend the timeline to end of FY 2012-13. If NTPC fails to convince the contractors to expedite respective works, the project will most likely slip into the forthcoming financial year.

BHEL had bagged NTPC`s contract in 2009 for the supply of the steam generator and electro static precipitator combined package to the 2X500 MW Rihand-III thermal power project being set up at the Sonebhadra district in Uttar Pradesh at a negotiated price of Rs 1,492 crore.