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POWER GENERATION OVER THE YEARS
Electricity apart from being just a source of energy, has become an adjective which is used in the context of a highly energetic and invigorating environment. This powerful source of energy, which is now almost synonymous to Oxygen, came into the world’s notice when Benjamin Franklin got the shock of his life from his audacious experiment. Its commercialization set-off the wheels of a new revolution and changed the entire world around it. Though Mr. Jamsetji Tata wanted to bring this innovative energy source to our country in 1875, it wasn’t until much later that it could become a reality. A brief history of its journey in India has been captured here, showcasing the growth of the spark to the unstoppable force that it has become now.
- First hydroelectric power plant in India at Darjeeling established with the help of the Maharaja of Burdwan, Maharajadiraja Sir Bijoy Chand Mahatab Bahadur and the British government. This plant supplied power to the district of Darjeeling.
- The first thermal power plant of The Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation Limited was commissioned at Emambagh Lane near Princep Ghat, heralding the beginning of thermal power generation in India.
- British India Government passes the first Electricity Act for India.
- Western India's First hydroelectric power generating station commissioned at Khopoli with an installed capacity of 40 MW, which was subsequently upgraded to 72 MW.
- Tata Power commissioned another hydro power station at Bhivpuri under the name of Andhra Valley Power Supply Company limited, with an installed capacity of 40 MW, subsequently upgraded to 72 MW.
- Tata Power's third Hydro power station of 90 MW capacity comes up at Bhira, which was subsequently upgraded to 150 MW.
- Electricity Supply Act was brought into effect by the Government of India. This was the first law in the electricity sector in independent India.
- Damodar Valley Corporation was created on lines of Tennessee Valley Corporation to prevent floods and generate electricity. This project finally put an end to the floods caused by the river Damodar in the state of West Bengal.
- The construction of Bhaakra - Nangal Project started in this year. It got completed in the year 1963. It is India's tallest Gravity Dam.
- First nuclear power plant in India was committed by the Canadian government.
- First thermal unit of 150 MW comes on line at Trombay – the first of its kind in the country.
- National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) & National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) established as first central government power utilities.
- India's first 500 MW generating unit with multi-fuel burning capability is commissioned at Trombay.
- A gas-based 180 MW capacity combined cycle plant is commissioned to provide quick-start capacity to Trombay Thermal Station and to ensure reliable and uninterrupted supply for essential services in Mumbai.
- The 150 MW Pumped Storage Unit at Bhira was commissioned. 67.5 MW Thermal Power Plant at Jojobera (Jharkhand) comes into existence.
- The Tata Hydro-Electric Co. Ltd., The Andhra Valley Power Supply Co. Ltd., and the Tata Power Co. Ltd., are amalgamated to become one entity - The Tata Power Co Ltd.
- Tata Power ventured into the renewable source of power generation with a 17 MW windfarm at Supa, Maharashtra.
- Tata Power entered into a public-private partnership namely 'Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited' with Delhi Vidyut Board for distribution in North Delhi.
- Tata Power enters into a public-private partnership with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, to develop a 1200 Km long transmission line to bring electricity from Bhutan to Delhi.
- Indian Electricity Act opens up the entire power sector to private players and competition
- Tata Power floats a wholly owned subsidiary for the power trading business, known as Tata Power Trading Co. Ltd. – the first private sector power trading company of India
- Tata Power completes the acquisition of 30% equity in Indonesian Coal Mines, PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC), and PT Arutmin Indonesia, as well as trading companies from PT Bumi Resources
- India's first solar power plant commissioned in Punjab with a capacity of 2 MW.
- Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission with focus on developing Solar Power on large scale
- Tata Power's First 25 MW Solar Power Plant in Mithapur (Gujarat) was commissioned.
- 1050 MW Maithon Power Project was commissioned in a public-private partnership with Damodar Valley Corporation. This led to Tata Power becoming the first Indian Power Company to have PPPs (public-private partnerships) in Generation, Transmission and Distribution.
- Tata Power implemented the first 4000 MW Ultra Mega Power Project of India at Mundra, Gujarat with 800 MW technology, first of its kind in India.
