OREANDA-NEWS. August 1, 2012. Tata Power, India's largest integrated power utility, today announced the commissioning of its second unit of 525MW (Unit 2) of its Maithon mega power project in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, under the requisite standard requirements. The first unit of 525MW (Unit 1) was commissioned in September 2011. The period between Unit 1 and 2, has been higher on account of delays in coal logistic and coal tie up for both units.

Maithon Power (MPL), the 74:26 joint-venture between Tata Power and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has implemented 2 x 525MW coal-fired power project power in Jharkhand. MPL is the first successful public-private partnership in green field generation project in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Sardana, managing director, Tata Power, said, “We are happy to declare commercial operation for the second unit at Maithon power project. This project further reiterates successful public-private partnership in power generation in the country. We are thankful to DVC, the government of Jharkhand and other stakeholders for their support throughout the project.”

Speaking on this milestone, Bhaskar Sarkar, CEO, MPL, said, “The commissioning of Maithon 525MW Unit 2 is a significant milestone. We are happy to have completed the project inspite of huge challenges like availability and transportation of coal. I take this opportunity to thank all the employees at Maithon, DVC team, all stakeholders, our community, business associates and partners who have contributed to this success.”

Spread over a total land of 1,200 acres, MPL has signed power purchase agreements and a power evacuation arrangement has been put in place by Power Grid Corporation of India. In addition to supplying power to DVC, power from MPL will be exported to power deficit northern states of India.

MPL, in line with Tata Power’s philosophy, has also begun the journey of community development to address developmental needs of its neigbouring communities. The initiatives span the theme of education, income generation and livelihood, infrastructure and institution building.

Some of MPL’s noticeable efforts include the Education Excellence programme, which has led to overall improvement in quality of education in 262 villages, reaching out to around 13,600 students; focused livelihood intervention, which helped around 400 farmers to adopt improved agriculture practices; and self-help group initiative providing support to 88 tribal women by initiating bamboo based enterprises and infrastructures pertaining to water conservation and availability, where around 23 ponds.