Recognizing the steady and stable performance in generating quality and reliable energy, the Central Electricity Authority has awarded Tata Power’s Bhira Hydro generation facility with the Silver Shield award for the meritorious performance. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had selected (the 80 year old) Bhira and Bhira Pump Storage Scheme (6X25 + 1 X 150 MW) as second best performing station in the country.

The Honourable Minister of Power, Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde handed over the awards at a glittering ceremony at The Ashok, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi. The function was also attended by the Shri B.K. Chaturvedi, Member (Power), Planning Commission; Mr. Anil Razdan, Secretary, Ministry of Power; and Shri Rakesh Nath, Chairman, Central Electricity Authority, apart from the senior officials from the Ministry of Power. Mr. M. Shenbagam, Head-Hydro Division, Tata Power, received the award on behalf of Tata Power and the entire team at Bhira, Maharashtra. Comprehensive Award Scheme has been introduced from 2004-05 for awarding meritorious performance and creating competitiveness among various power stations/projects in thermal, hydro and nuclear generation, transmission project and distribution companies.

Mr. Prasad Menon, Managing Director, Tata Power said, “The award endorses our efforts and commitment to put quality and performance in our quest to offer value-based services to the consumers. Tata Power has pioneered various firsts to ensure reliable and uninterrupted power supply. This recognition from CEA will further strengthen our endeavour to optimize performance.”

Driven by its commitment to power generation harmonious with nature, Tata Power has taken concrete steps to sustain the ecological balance. Moreover, Tata Power has also initiated an afforestation programme to plant trees to increase the green cover around its hydro generation facility in Western Ghats of Maharashtra.

Some of the recent Awards won by the Company include the Quality Circles Award 2007 at the “National Convention on Quality Circles” under the aegis of Quality Circle Forum of India. Further, Jojobera Division has been recognized by the National Safety Council of India and awarded the “Suraksha Puraskar” in recognition for developing and implementing very effective Safety Management Systems and Procedures and achieving very good performance in safety during the assessment period of three years – 2003-05.

About Bhira Hydro Plant

Bhira, located about 150 km from Mumbai, was the third hydropower plant installed by The Tata Power Company Ltd. (TPCL) in 1927. Bhira power station with a 6 x 25 MW generating units (double overhang Pelton turbines), along with other hydro and thermal power stations forms a vital link in sustaining the industrial activity of Mumbai-Pune region of Maharashtra state. Realizing the crucial importance of peaking assistance to the grid, Tata Power had installed a pumped storage unit as an extension to the existing Bhira hydro power station. The Bhira pumped storage unit is the single largest such unit in India and is perhaps the only pumped storage unit operating in both pumping and generation mode in India at the time of its commissioning.

About Tata Power

Tata Power is India's largest private sector power utility with an installed generation capacity of over 2300 MW and a presence in all the segments of the power sector viz Generation (thermal, hydro, solar and wind), Transmission, Distribution and Trading. The Company has successful public-private partnerships in Generation, Transmission and Distribution - “North Delhi Power Limited” with Delhi Vidyut Board for distribution in North Delhi, ‘Powerlinks Transmission Ltd.’ with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. for evacuation of Power from Tala hydro plant in Bhutan to Delhi and ‘Maithon Power Ltd.’ with Damodar Valley Corporation for a 1050 MW Mega Power Project at Jharkhand. It has recently acquired 30% stake in Coal Companies at Indonesia and is developing the first 4000 MW Ultra Mega Power Project at Mundra (Gujarat) based on super-critical technology. With its track record of technology leadership, customer care and redefining contours of the Indian power sector, Tata Power is poised for a five-fold growth and committed to ‘lighting up lives’ for generations to come.