Generation cost at WB units under CESC lens

Our Corporate Bureau

Mumbai, Dec 3: CESC Ltd is exploring various options to decide about the future of its two power generating stations at Mulajore and New Cossipore in West Bengal.

The company’s cost of power generation at these two stations is higher compared to the company’s average generation cost. The two plants account for 190 MW out of the company’s total installed capacity of 1,065 MW. However, despite the two plants being in vintage category, they have continued to support the system, says the company in its annual report. The company has also co-promoted Balagarh Power Company Ltd for setting up two 250 MWs thermal power units at Balagarh near Kolkata. The investment plan for the project is being reviewed in the context of the tariff revision received recently. CESC has five generating stations with a total installed capacity of 1,065 MW of which the three modern plants at Budge Budge, Titagarh Generating Stations and Southern Generating Stations account for 875 MW.

While the first two plants are working at around 80 per cent plant load factor , the third plant is clocking over 60 per cent. The company achieved a 14 per cent increase in generation mainly due to the better performance of the three stations and power position continued to remain generally stable. CESC met a peak demand of 1,233-1,053 mw being contributed by own generation on Oct 3, 2000.