Within a day of power supply for start-up operation from Pendurthy sub-station, 80-MW coal-fired captive power plant of Sarda Metals & Alloys Ltd (SMAL) has not only resumed its operation but also started supplying surplus power to the State Grid.

Undeterred by severe damage sustained by its ferro alloys plant at Kantakapalli near Kothavalasa, about 40 km from here, in the aftermath of cyclone Hudhud, SMAL was also successful in reviving production of silicon manganese for export market and ferro manganese to various steel plants in India.

SMAL belonging to Raipur-based Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd (SEML), a listed company known for low-cost production of ferro alloys, iron, billets, ingots and TMT bars, has completed the first phase of its project in the backward Vizianagaram district with an investment of Rs.730 crore.

It has acquired 280.96 acres from APIIC for the project. At present, it generates 80 MW and produces 1.25 lakh to 1.5 lakh tonne of silicon manganese and ferro manganese per annum. It also has plans to expand its capacity and set up two more power generation units each with a capacity of 80 MW. The company has two 33 MVA furnaces.

“The coal shed, casting and insulation at our plant suffered heavy damage. In fact, we have to build the coal shed afresh at a cost of Rs.10 crore or so as it suffered extensive damage in the heavy gales that lashed on October 12,” SMAL Director Neeraj Sarda told The Hindu.

Estimated loss

Preliminary estimates put the total loss at Rs.25 crore. The coal shed with a height of 40 metre, storage capacity of 32,000 tonne and built with 500 tonne of steel, will take one-and-a-half years for reconstruction. The damaged one was built in collaboration with a Chinese firm. Mr. Sarda said the devastated shed had the ability to withstand a wind speed of 200 km per hour. Now it is proposed to design new one to absorb a wind speed of 300 km per hour.

On their expansion plans, company’s president Rajendra Vohra said they would take it up at an appropriate time.

• [Editor:Phillip.Feng]