Amid the prevailing gas crisis, the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has taken an initiative to ensure uninterrupted power supply by introducing advanced technology at the Rukhia Power Plant. The bhumi pujan for the new project is scheduled to take place on November 26.

Announcing this, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said that the upcoming project aims to generate 120 megawatt (MW) of power using Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) technology.

He informed that the actual capacity of the Rukhia Power Plant was 63 MW in 2017–18, though it used to generate only about 40 MW. “In 2018–19 also, the plant generated 40 MW of power,” the minister said.

“In 2019–20, we managed to produce 56 MW despite the gas shortage. However, in 2022–23, the plant had to be closed due to lack of environmental clearance. The previous government, before 2018, had not taken any necessary permission or clearance. I personally went to New Delhi, held discussions with ministers and officials, and resolved the issue after obtaining the required clearance. At present, the Rukhia Power Plant is generating 19 MW of power,” Nath added.

The minister said that the power department has now adopted Combined Cycle Gas Turbine technology, which allows more power to be generated from the same amount of gas.

“Using this technology, we will be able to generate 120 MW of power using the same gas, even though gas prices are high in the international market. Around Rs 1,119 crore (excluding GST) will be spent on the project,” he said.

Highlighting the depletion of natural gas resources, Nath said, “Gas is a natural resource that is gradually vanishing and is not in anyone’s control. Hence, the state government is placing greater emphasis on solar energy as a sustainable alternative.”