The first of its kind in the country, the generator withstood peak hour tests at a stepped up generation of 316 mega watt, sources disclosed to the The Indian Express today.

The commissioning was as per schedule and follows the nation's first double lake tapping in mid-March, sources said.

For the commissioning of the generator, the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP combine had in mind a big show with plans to invite the Prime Minister to dedicate the project to the nation. But the situation in Kargil and later the clamping of the election code of conduct put paid to the alliance plans for the project.

In March this year, scores of VVIPs with their paraphernalia had descended on Koyna for the double lake-tapping a few tons of imported explosives were used for a controlled blast beneath the lake sending the authorities into a tizzy. Elaborate arrangements had been made to accommodate the guests at the Stage IV intake plateau, cramped between a hill and the Koyna lake.

The project, an engineering marvel, commenced with the aid of the World Bank in the early 90s. The project is expected to add 1000 more mega watt to the State's installed capacity in the hydro-power sector. The remaining three generators are scheduled for commissioning at intervals of three months.