Thermal Powertech Corporation India (TPCIL) the joint venture company between Gayatri Energy Ventures Private, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gayatri Projects and Singapore based SembCorp Utilities has achieved boiler light up for first phase of its 1,320 MW, thermal power plant in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, located near the coast of Krishnapatnam.

This represents another step towards commissioning which is expected to be done by the end of the year.

TPCIL has signed a power purchase agreement with Andhra Pradesh Power distribution companies, wholly-owned by the government of Andhra Pradesh for supply of 500 MW of competitive power to the central, eastern, southern and northern power distribution companies of Andhra Pradesh for a period of 25 years.

T. V Sandeep Reddy, MD, Gayatri Projects, said, ''The event marks the first step towards commissioning the operations at our 1,320 MW power plant. The unit is expected to be synchronised to the grid by the end of the year. It is also reflective of the smooth and timely progress on the project. The project once commissioned will help address the growing power demand in the state.''

Shares of the company gained Rs 4.85, or 2.84%, to settle at Rs 175.75. The total volume of shares traded was 34,611 at the BSE (Monday).