Social and welfare activities of Assam Gas Based Power Plant Project

UJJAINI SHARMA

The North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO), with fincial support from the Overseas Economic Corporation Fund of Japan (currently med as Japan Bank of Intertiol Corporation), executed the Assam Gas Based Power Plant Project with 291 MW installed capacity, which as a central project was envisioned in the year 1986.

In the field of gas based thermal sector, the Assam Gas Based Power Plant Project was the first ever venture of NEEPCO, and the first unit of the project commissioned in the year 1995,  was dedicated to the country by the then Union Minister NKP Salve on March 24, 1995.  The plant generates electricity by using tural gas as fuel, and till March, 2016 has generated a total electrical energy of 28477.7465 MU.  It is pertinent to mention that Oil India Limited (OIL) supplies tural gas through gas pipelines owned by Assam Gas Company Ltd.

In November, 1987, the project received the primary cabinet approval. However, the activities of the project were put on track by October, 1998 with the floating of NIT for the selection of Retainer Consultant as per the condition set forth by the OCEF. The initial activities of the project for its commencement got overdue  due to the opposition of the State Electricity Board (SEB) and Government of Assam to hand over the project to NEEPCO for its implementation and hitched in handing over the material possession of the land.

The tender for turnkey contract for design, manufacture, supply, erection, testing commissioning of the plant equipment was invited in October, 1989. There was substantial delay in receipt of bids against the tender as the perspective bidders were reluctant to quote for the project in view of apprehension due to deteriorated law-and-order situation in the NE region which prevailed at that time. However, after repeatedly extending the bid closure date, filly bids were received in August, 1990. On opening of the bids it was found that the participating bidders quoted prices at a very high level, which resulted in jacking up the project cost to a very exorbitant level. In view of the very high cost, prolonged negotiations by NEEPCO, CEA, and MOP were held with the bidders in an attempt to bring down the cost to a reasoble level. In addition, for arriving at a decision, a Standing Negotiation Committee was formed by the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Central Electricity Authority and NEEPCO, in order to carry out negotiations with the bidders. After completion of negotiations the Central Electricity Authority placed the Project for reappraisal for fresh techno economic clearance, PIB clearance and CCEA clearance. Filly, on receipt of the CCEA clearance, the letter of Award was issued to Mitsubishi Corporation in association with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd on May 28, 1992.

AGBP is entitled under ISO 9001 (Quality Magement), 14001 (Environment Magement and OHSAS 18001 (Occupatiol Health Safety Magement Series) and maintains these standards in true sense. It is a combine cycle power plant. The waste heat generated by the gas turbine units are used in Heat Recovery Steam Generator resulting into environment-friendly power plant.

Some of the salient features of the project are as such the project is located in Dibrugarh district at a height above MSL-123.73 mtrs  and its meteorological parameters being calculated at : Average daily maximum temperature  - 27.7 Degree C ; Average daily minimum temperature -  18.7 Degree C ; Annual Mean Relative Humidity – 83% ; Total Average Rainfall – 2759.4mm and Mean Wind Speed.  The other main features  of the Project are - Source of fuel and Quantity – OIL, 1.4 MMSCMD ; source of water for consumptive use – River Burhidihing ; water conductor length – 20.86 kms (total of two pipelines) ; consumptive water Requirement – 1600 Cum/hr ; Unit Sizes – 4 No 33.66 MW (MHI) and 2 No 35.01 MW (BHEL) Gas Turbines and 3 No 30 MW (BHEL) Steam Turbines ;  gas turbine exhaust gas condition, temperature flow pressure – 550 Degree C. , 138 kg/ sec , 1 Atmosphere ; steam parameters, pressure temperature, Flow / WHRB -  43.5 Ata. , 473 Degree C, 60 T/hr ; turbine type – Single Cylinder ; and completed cost of the project – Rs. 1532.32 crore (inc. IDC & WCM).

Assam Gas Based Power Project (AGDP), NEEPCO Ltd has also undertaken several welfare projects as part of its commitment to social responsibility for sustaibility towards the people of the region. It has exhibited the assurances through the various interventions that proved instrumental in bringing social changes in the region by bringing real improvement in quality of life of the people. Undertaking of community development programme in the neighborhood of the project to focus on social, economic and environment impact was the prime aim of AGBP’s CSR initiatives.

The  areas  under the  Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives of Assam Gas Based Power Project (AGBP)  consist of sustaible development, promoting education, making schools better, access to safe drinking water, healthcare for life, infrastructure development, promotion of sports in the region, constructing Bihutoli at Bokuloni Chariali and construction of kitchen rooms and installing fencing covering the verandah of Mril Jyoti Rehabilitation Centre, Duliajan.

Other CSR initiatives of AGBP implemented for the welfare of the people of the region are skill development and entrepreneur development, empowerment of People, Swachcha Abhiyan- Swaach Bharat Abhiyan and School Sanitation under SWAACH VIDYALAYA Intervention contributing to Clean India and improving educatiol outcomes; implementation of NEEPCO Meritorious Scholarship Scheme for the needy and the deserving students to support studies after Class X.

In addition to the above, other CSR initiatives which were carried out under the project are for the good   of the people of the region. A bridge connecting Ushapur and Joypur was constructed over the River Buridihing. Moreover, a playground with a pavilion which is being maintained periodically was also developed at Chichia Bakulani  and in the education sector, a VKV  school run by the corporation was opened for enhancement of quality education of the students. Besides, a tiny tots playhouse is being run at the colony  for NEEPCO employees as well as for the outsiders.

NEEPCO even provides medical and healthcentre with six-bed emergency care facilities  for  the  welfare of the employees,  and the health centre is equipped with clinical laboratory facilities. For meeting up the daily needs of the NEEPCO consumers at a reasoble price, a co-operative society has been set up inside the colony. Maintence of a children park, provision of drinking water on 24X7 basis, a recreation club with sports and cultural activities along with gym and a playground  are the other facilities  being provided to the employees  in the colony.  In AGBP colony complex, road arboriculture is also well maintained with all the fruit-bearing trees.

NEEPCO under the project has laid constant stress towards energy magement, use of LED and conventiol lamps are being used and phased out and offices are being fitted with occupancy sensors and rain water harvesting is also being done.  NEEPCO also uses waste water for washing vehicles and solar roof top of plant 15KWP will be installed soon in the administrative building.

With regard to the environment and ecology factor, the power station is an environment-friendly power generating company as it uses clean fuel. The residual noise and emission level are well within the permissible limits and adheres to the stipulations as laid down for practices for a generating company. Notably, NEEPCO LTD, AGBP, till date, as a company is involved in responsible corporate citizenship and is delivering its social responsibilities as per its business ethics. It has spent around more than Rs 3 crore.