MM Rathi, Head of Power Generation, Shree Cement
Shree Cement has achieved an iconic status through its performance in the power generation. It is the only cement producer which has made large investment in power business to ensure reliable and economic source of power to support cement business. The Editor of Indian Cement Review had a chance to know more on the subject from MM Rathi, Head of Power Generation at Shree Cement. Excerpts from the interview:
Recent reports say linkage coal will not be available to CPPs from 2016. How are you prepared for this situation?
We at CPP units of Shree Cement do not use any linkage coal as in case of other cement plants. We use imported coal where we get better and consistent quality.
What is your total capacity to generate power? What quantum is generated through WHR?
At Rajasthan, our total generation capacity is close to 612 MW of power. We have installed 96 MW waste heat power plant.
Please talk about the efficiency of your CPP units.
While investing in any asset creation, we think of long term. In the present case, ROI was the main consideration. We have not gone by the lowest rates. What we choose was the best in the market considering ROI. For the boilers, we have the option of using multiple fuels. That gives us complete ease of operations and flexibility. We started power generation from 2.5 MW capacity and today we are at 612 MW. Through this journey from 2.5 MW to 612 MW, we have earned a huge experience and have mastered the art of efficiently running the power plants.
The availability of power plants is very high which has helped our cement business immensely as there has been no instance when our any cement unit has suffered production loss for want of power. When we compare similar capacity plant with our power, the plant operational parameters in terms of heat rate and auxiliary consumption are one of the best in the industry. We have used relatively more capital-intensive air cooled condensers technology in all our plants for conserving water when no other plant in our vicinity has even thought about the same.
Do you plan to add to the power capacities in Rajasthan and in other states? What are your future plans?
Our all new Kiln will come with waste heat power plants. Coal-based power generation decision is dependent purely on the economics.