Published on Deccan Chronicle (http://www.deccanchronicle.com)
Private firm to help tide over power crisis
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Chennai: Power-starved Tamil Nadu will soon get some relief from load-shedding with the first unit of the 2x600 mega watt thermal power plant of Coastal Energen in Thoothukudi commencing generation.
According to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) sources, Unit I of Coastal Energen was synchronised with the state grid for the first time on September 7 and it has, since then, been supplying power.
The generation of power from the private plant has begun at a time when the state is faced with a power shortage following the end of the wind power season and reimposition of restriction and control measures on industrial consumers.
Corporation sources said that the thermal plant was expected to achieve full load generation by the end of this month and likely to commence commercial operation by December this year.
“Once the plant starts commercial operation, it will start supplying about 548 MW to the state as part of its long-term agreement,” the official said. The plant is being built at a cost of Rs 4,500 crore. Coastal Energen is one among 12 power generators to which Tangedco had signed long-term power purchase agreements to procure a total quantum of 3,330 MW of power till 2028.
Of the 12 power plants, nine were located in the North East West (NEW) grid and three in the state itself. Three plants in the state — Coastal Energen (548 MW), IL and FS Tamil Nadu Power Company (540 MW) and OPG Power Ventures Ltd (74 MW) — would together supply 1,162 MW while the plants in the NEW grid would supply 2,168 MW.
At present, Tangedco was receiving 150 MW from Jindal Power Ltd and 74 MW from OPG Power Ventures Ltd as part of the long-term agreement. Due to grid constraints in importing power through the Raichur-Sholapur transmission line to the Southern Region, the state was receiving a mere 150 MW even though four power plants in the NEW grid were ready to supply a total of 1,208 MW to the state.
“Once the grid is made available for importing power, Tamil Nadu will be able to get 1,208 MW of power. It will help reduce load shedding in the state,” the official said.
