KSEB to Send Team to China Over Bhoothathankettu Hydro Project Equipment Delay

Quick Summary

• Project Overview: The Bhoothathankettu small hydro project in Kerala, with a capacity of 24 MW, has faced important delays since its inception.
• Current Status: Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) plans to send a technical team to china to inspect delayed electromechanical equipment crucial for the project’s completion.
• Equipment Details: the third batch of equipment includes key components like rotor and stator necessary for generator operations. Prior batches where delivered but disputes over contract conditions delayed this consignment.
• Contract History: KSEB signed an ₹81.80-crore contract in 2015 with Tamil Nadu-based Sree Saravana Engineering Bhavani Ltd. (SSEB) and China’s Hunan Zhaoyang Generation Equipment Company Ltd., originally intended for completion by August 2016. Following multiple extensions, the deadline was last set at March 31, 2023.
• Recent Developments:

– KSEB issued a termination notice in April 2023 and sought new bids after advice from National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC).
– SSEB filed a legal challenge against the termination decision in May and requested reconsideration due to extensive progress made on civil works (98.4%) and electromechanical works (86.61%).
– A final meeting will be held with the consortium after sending experts for inspection.

indian Opinion Analysis

The persistent delays impacting the Bhoothathankettu project underscore significant challenges that surface when dependencies span across international suppliers and multi-party collaborations within India’s infrastructure domain. While legal disputes add complexity,KSEB’s plan to send experts highlights their commitment toward informed decision-making before rearranging contracts or discarding prior investments amounting to ₹169 crore.

This case reflects broader implications tied to reliance on global supply chains-particularly during critical projects requiring high precision components-further compounded by contractual conflicts wich extend timelines excessively beyond agreements made initially.Resolving such issues pragmatically is essential not only for mitigating financial losses but also ensuring cleaner energy alternatives grow sustainably within states like Kerala.

For further details about this ongoing advancement, read more at the Hindu.