Agartala, Dec 13 (IANS): By using the latest technology, the generation capacity of three power plants in Tripura will be augmented by around 70 MW without increasing fuel consumption, a minister said here Saturday.

To enhance the production capacity of two gas-based thermal power plants and one hydel power project, the state-owned North East Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) in association with the Tripura government would invest Rs.500 crore.

"The Rokhia and Baramura gas-based power plants in Tripura are at present in the open cycle system. Both the power plants would be converted into the combined cycle mode to generate additional power without using extra fuel," Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey told reporters.

"Currently, both plants are generating 103 MW and after conversion into the combined cycle mode, their capacity would be 163 MW," he said.

The NEEPCO would also increase the capacity of the Dambur hydel power plant, commissioned in 1974, in Tripura from 8 MW to 15 MW.

To implement the three projects within next two years, the NEEPCO Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tripura government here.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Power Minister Manik Dey and top officials of both the Tripura government and the NEEPCO were present at the MoU signing programme.

The total cost of the three projects would be shared by the Tripura government and the NEEPCO at 90:10 basis. The Tripura government and the NEEPCO would form a company to implement the project.

The NEEPCO, under the union power ministry, is also commissioning a 101-MW gas-based thermal power plant at Monarchak in Tripura.