Badarpur Thermal Power Station hands over 220 KV Switchyard to Delhi Transco

NEW DELHI: After its closure, Badarpur National Thermal Power Station has handed over its 220 KV switchyard to Delhi Transco Limited while the newly constructed Tughlaqabad switchyard is already operational. The agreement has been signed by Badarpur's NTPC Chief General Manager Chandan Chakraborty and General Manager of Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) at Shakti Sadan, Kotla, New Delhi .

"This switchyard will be used in case of emergency by DTL in case of Tughlakabad switchyard fails to function during the peak load demands. The 400/220kV substation of Tughlakabad with 2000 MVA capacity was commissioned and serving South Delhi's requirements," said Badarpur Station officials.

BTPS was permanently shut on October 15. Its two units of 210 MW were serving Delhi by supplying 420 MW power till the closer.

The average spot power price at the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) rose 45.5 per cent in October to Rs 5.94 per unit, compared with Rs 4.08 per unit in the year-ago period.

The average spot power price was highest at Rs 7.30 per unit during evening peak hours from 6 pm to 11 pm.

The AAP government closed the Badarpur Thermal Power Station on October 15 forever due to environmental concerns. At the time of closing, Badarpur was generating more than 500 MW electricity for Delhi's consumption. It is not enough that the AAP government has already closed the oldest Thermal Power Rajghat on June 2015.

Meanwhile, Delhi is still facing severe power crisis and bad air quality. The PM level level of BTPS chimney was 35 to 41 mg/Nm3. With R&M of 2x210 MW Units, the stack emission is being maintained less than 50 mg/Nm3 which is a bench mark in India.

Power prices and volume remained on the higher side throughout the month due to high demand of power from western, eastern and southern states as well as supply-side constraints such as coal shortages, reduced hydel and wind power generation affecting the market.