Essar Power Hazira Ltd, a subsidiary of Essar Power Ltd, has announced that its 2x135 MW power project in Hazira was now operating consistently at close to 100% capacity utilisation. The achievement is significant because it comes close on the heels of the commissioning of the second unit, which occurred just three months ago. It is also an indicator for the increased capacity utilisation of its captive client—Essar Steel's 10 million tonne Hazira Steel Complex.

The plant can run on multiple fuels, like coal, corex fines and Corex gas, simultaneously. It can also utilize excess gases from the process units of Steel making operations. Over the last few weeks, it has lived up to its green commitment by using a higher proportion of by-products from the steelmaking process, including coal fines and Corex gas. The plant is also helping bring down Essar Steel's power procurement cost, while lending unmatched reliability and flexibility to the steelmaking process. Essar Steel has increased its capacity utilisation from 30% to 80% over the last one year.

Says KVB Reddy, CEO, Essar Power: "The year is turning out to be an important one for Essar Power. Close to 80 % of Essar Power's targeted capacity of 6,100 MW, which comprises both captive and IPP assets, have been made operational. In the last two years, increased coal availability, both from domestic and overseas suppliers, as well as the strong operational efficiencies harnessed by Essar Power's world-class technical team have helped improve our performance significantly."

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