With three new thermal power projects getting ready to go live in Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) has sought support from the central government and the Odisha government for developing a coal block in Odisha’s Angul. An official told the media that the three new thermal power stations with 3,440 MW capacity would require 30,000-40,000 tonnes of additional coal daily. The Centre had allotted the Chandrabilla coal block to the State power utility in 2016. The period of coal excavation from the block was between 2016-2021. The development of the coal block was delayed due to the lack of clearance for exploration in the forest area by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). An official said that if the Centre does not approve the Chandrabilla coal block, TANGEDCO has to purchase fuel from private entities. The construction work of the upcoming coal-fired North Chennai stage III is already complete, and the other terminal projects, Ennore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Udangudi, are about 95% completed. The Tamil Nadu government plans to commence the North Chennai stage-III project before May 2022 and other projects by the end of 2022. An official said that TANGEDCO had invited bids of Rs 21,000 crore to hand over the Chandrabilla coal mine project. However, no bidder came up, and the project was further delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The state power utility urged the Odisha government to help seek clearance from the Forest Department. Previously, TN Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji and the Chairman of TANGEDCO, Rajesh Lakhani, urged the Ministry of Power, R K Singh, to initiate the step, hoping to commence the Chandrabilla coal block as early as possible. The thermal power stations of 4,320 MW in North Chennai, Mettur and Tuticorin require 62,000 tonnes of coal daily. India had witnessed a coal shortage, and several thermal power stations were on the verge of shutting down. Image Source Also read: Govt to ask 79 coal-based power plants to set up anti-emission gear Also read: Coal India transports 91% coal stocks to thermal power plants