Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) has commenced the commercial operation of its second 800 MW supercritical unit at 2x800 MW Yeramarus Thermal Power Station (TPS) of Raichur Power Corporation (RPCL) in Raichur district of Karnataka.

Notably, the milestone for the second unit was achieved within a month of commencement of commercial operation of the first unit. BHEL and Karnataka Power Corporation (KPCL) are the main equity partners of RPCL, the owner and operator of this power plant.

Significantly, the commercial operation of these units marks BHEL's foray as a co-developer in the field of power generation. This move is in line with the company's key strategy to fuel growth. It will gradually add to the existing revenue streams.

BHEL has supplied and executed 4,810 MW of coal based sets for KPCL and its joint ventures, which accounts for 96% of the utility's coal-based installed capacity. BHEL is also presently executing KPCL's first gas-based combined cycle power project of 370 MW capacity involving a fuel-efficient advanced-class gas turbine at Yelahanka, Bengaluru.

BHEL undertook complete design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of the state-of-the-art Yeramarus supercritical project on turnkey basis. It has supplied all the critical equipment like boiler, turbine & generators, electricals, key packages of balance of plant and has also carried out the associated civil works. The major equipment for the project has been manufactured by BHEL at its Haridwar, Trichy, Bhopal, Ranipet, Hyderabad, Jhansi, Thirumayam and Bengaluru plants, while the construction of the plant was undertaken by the company's Power Sector- Southern Region.

Shares of the company declined Rs 2.45, or 1.39%, to trade at Rs 174.00. The total volume of shares traded was 139,615 at the BSE (10.24 a.m., Wednesday).