TN to establish its first 800 MW thermal power station

16 Nov 2022 CW Team

The coal-based North Chennai Thermal Power stage III station, built at a cost of Rs 63.76 billion

is likely to be commissioned in the first week of December. According to a senior Tangedco official, the project, which was supposed to open in 2019, was pushed back because to the Covid-19 outbreak and a few technical challenges. When compared to other plants, the unit developed using cutting-edge technology will use less coal and emit less coal dust. It will also minimize the government's reliance on private power.

Another official stated that according to the Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA), Tangedco should receive 23.76 metric tonnes per year, but it only received 17.11 MT, or 72% of the stipulated quantity, in 2021-22.

“We will need more coal when we start operating the new plant. We have requested the Centre to allot the entire quantum as per FSA to the State. We are handling the situation now by importing coal,” he said.

Tangedco is now working on further power projects, including Ennore SEZ (2x660 MW), Udangudi Expansion Stage I (2x660), Ennore Expansion (1x660), Uppur (2x800), Udangudi Expansion Stage II (2x660), and Udangudi Expansion Stage III (2x660) (2x660). These coal-fired power plants are in various phases of development.