OREANDA-NEWS. Tata Power, India's largest integrated power utility, through its wholly owned subsidiary Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (CGPL), announced synchronisation of 800 MW sized Unit 5 of the country's first UMPP in Mundra, Gujarat.

With this, the total power generation capacity of Tata Power stands at 7647 MW, reinforcing its position as the largest integrated power company in India. The Company had commercialised Unit# 1 of Mundra UMPP in March 2012, Unit# 2 in July 2012, Unit# 3 in October 2012 and Unit# 4 in January 2013. With synchronisation of Unit# 5, the thermal power generation capacity of Tata Power stands at 8500 MW and the generation through clean sources such as hydro, wind and solar stands at 852 MW.

Tata Power commissioned a total of 3,200 MW at a single location in a year. This is a new record. The average gap taken between synchronisation of two units has been 3.5 months which is better than the baseline schedule of 4 months and is much better than the 5 months provided in original PPA.

The 4000 MW Mundra UMPP is the first of the UMPPs that heralds the entry of 800 MW supercritical boiler technology in India, which is environment friendly and efficient. This technology and the choice of unit sizes will help save fuel for the project and cut down the greenhouse gas emissions as compared to regular coal-fired power stations. In addition, the choice of imported coal significantly lowers sulphur emissions. The plant will use significantly less than the stipulated 1 % sulphur and 10 % ash content in coal.

Speaking on this milestone, Mr. Anil Sardana, Managing Director, Tata Power, said, "The synchronization of Unit# 5 of Mundra UMPP marks a milestone in India's history as the first Ultra Mega Power Project setting execution excellence benchmark for Indian power sector. The synchronization of the last unit is a significant achievement in a sector, which is ridden with numerous challenges. The Mundra UMPP features a number of new and advanced technological initiatives based on super critical technology. We eagerly await a viable solution by the Hon'ble CERC and look forward to an early resolution of this issue.

CGPL is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed for setting up and operating the 4000 MW Mundra UMPP. CGPL has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with seven procurers (distribution licensees) from five states i.e. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab for the sale of contracted capacity. The Mundra Power Project, India's first UMPP is progressing well. Unit 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been commissioned and Unit 5 has been synchronized.