OREANDA-NEWS. April 04, 2012. The first unit of 600 MW of Salaya 1 has commenced commercial operation. The second of two 600 megawatt has been synchronised with the State transmission grid and is expected to start commercial production in May, 2012. With this, EPGL is well on its way to complete the project with a total capacity of 1200 MW.

The coal fired Salaya I project, with a total 1,200MW capacity has been set up at a cost of USD 1.1bn.

Salaya I is one of three power projects due to be commissioned in 2012, the others being the 1,200 MW Mahan I project and the 510MW Vadinar P2 project. Together these three projects will add 2,910MW to the existing capacity of 1,600MW and take Essar Power's total installed capacity to 4,510MW

K V B Reddy, Director, Essar Power said, ”It is a matter of great satisfaction that many of our power projects are progressing well in terms of completion and operation. This bears testimony to the Essar Power’s capability to bring to fruition the projects that we have undertaken. The completion of the projects will add to the revenues and profitability of the company.”

About Essar Power

Essar Power is one of India's leading private power producers with a 14-year operating track record. The company's power business currently has four operational power plants in India and one operational power plant in Algoma, Canada, with a total installed generation capacity of 1,600 MW.

About Essar Energy

Essar Energy (LSE:ESSR) is a world class, low-cost, integrated energy company with an established track record. Essar Energy, through its subsidiaries, owns one of India's largest private power producers with 1,600MW of installed capacity.

Essar Energy, through its subsidiaries, owns one of India's fastest growing private sector oil and gas companies with a diverse portfolio of exploration and production assets. The Vadinar refinery, located in Gujarat, is India's second largest private sector oil refinery with throughput capacity of 18 million metric tonnes per annum and plans to expand to 20mmtpa by September 2012.