Power generation hit at NTPC\'s Simhadri plant

Visakhapatnam: The power generation of 2,000MW came to a halt at NTPC- Simhadri at Parawada in Anakapalle district due to a breakdown in its units, following a tripping in the power grid on Tuesday morning.

NTPC-Simhadri personnel said that due to the thunder storm accompanied by gales and lightning in the wee hours on Tuesday, Kalpakka and Gajuwaka substation 400 KV lines have tripped, resulting in the tripping of the 400 KV line supplying power from NTPC-Simhadri to these sub-stations.  

NTPC Simhadri power station was blacked out due to power evacuation constraint.

The four units at the NTPC plant were shut at 3:30am as there was a trip in the power grid. Probably, this is the first time in recent times that all the four units of the NTPC came to halt.

“The officials and personnel working on a war footing restored Unit 1 and Unit 4 around 9pm and hoped to restore all the other units by midnight,’’ said a senior official.

Officials said they are supplying power through the national grid and Vemagiri sub-station. They hoped that regular supply from Simhadri would be restored soon.

Earlier, the Eastern Power Distribution Company (EPDCL) personnel swung into action to identify the problem.  

Discom officials said power supply to Visakhapatnam district was affected at 3:30am on Tuesday due to a breakdown in the units in Simhadri plant. Power was restored on top priority basis, in half an hour’s time, to Simhachalam, where the Chandanotsavam was being held.

Andhra Pradesh draws 900 MW from NTPC Simhadri and the entire supply was used for Vizag region. Discom officials said power supply was restored in Vizag city limits within half an hour while, in rural areas, the supply was restored in phases by 8am.