Combined Cycle Power project: contractors asked to boost up construction works

Managing Director Pepco Tahir Basharat Cheema instructed Chinese contractors and local counterparts to boost up the construction of 425 MW Combined Cycle Power Project at Nandipur near Gujranwala. During his visit of the site, MD Pepco said that such power scheme in public sector is an integral part of Pepco`s strategy to exit rental power plants, which will ultimately result and help in phasing out these RPPs.
These Power schemes would provide reliable and cost effective power to the public and will contribute to overcome the menace of load shedding in the country which shows the commitment of Pepco to utilise the Rental Powers for least possible periods.
MD Pepco said that this contract was signed last year on 28 January 2008 with Chinese company Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC) at total EPC cost of 329 million dollar. The power project is located at an ideal place, in close proximity to the cities of Gujranwala and Sialkot and will cater for the power generation of both the cities, which form the hub of industrial activities in Pakistan.
Tahir Basharat said that, Chinese contractors have already mobilised at project site with execution of civil works of pile foundation for Gas and Steam Turbine, which is fairly in advance stage. Besides, appreciable progress has also been made towards manufacturing of the power plant equipment. The delivery of Gas Turbine with associated equipment is scheduled in January 2010.
As per contractual commissioning schedule of the project, the first gas turbine will be ready by October 2010, followed by other two gas turbines and one steam turbine with a gap of two months each, so as to achieve the final completion of the whole combined project in April 2011 of 425MW power generations. Talking about the pace of construction work of power project along with Chinese team of Engineers.
Tahir Basharat Cheema highlighted the stages of commissioning of various units of the project and informed that the Major Gas Turbine will be shipped in January 2010.The first unit will be commissioned in October 2010 and will generate 95.4MW. The Second unit will be commissioned in December 2010 with the same power generation. Whereas the third gas Turbine unit will be completed in February 2011 with capacity of 95.4MW.
However, the last and fourth unit of Steam Turbine Combined Cycle of (138.8) MW will be operational in April 2011. Thus will add 425 MW of power generation to National Grid. This Gas Turbine contemplated for the project are General Electric (GE). Which is amongst the most effective and best in the world. The gas turbines utilise the latest metallurgical advances and coating to produce one of the highest possible efficiencies.
The site of the Coffer Dam being built on the Upper Chenab canal for evolving water needs of the plant was also visited. In this regards, the Project Director apprised the MD that in conjunction with Punjab Irrigation Department all preliminaries to the construction of the work has been firmed before the Annual Canal Closure and consequently the work was in full swing. MD Pepco also held a detailed discussion with the Chinese Contractor and Pakistani Counterparts, to acquire updates about the construction activities and progress of the project.
While appreciating the pace of work and their efforts, Managing Director desired to maintain the high spirits and urged to expedite to its maximum possible extent, so that the there may be no delay in the timely commissioning of the project. Tahir Cheema also directed the project director about the security and administrative matters of Chinese and local Contractors of the project.