Udangudi Thermal Plant’s First Unit Synced to Grid

16 Sep 2025 CW Team

The first 660 MW unit of the Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Project in Tamil Nadu has finally been synchronised with the grid, marking a long-awaited milestone for the state’s power sector. The project, being developed at a cost of Rs 13,076 crore by Tamil Nadu Power Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNGPCL), was originally scheduled for commissioning in 2021 but faced repeated delays due to court disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The synchronisation took place at 7.56 pm on Thursday, when the unit produced 42 MW during its initial trial run. Officials noted that the plant will undergo inspections and troubleshooting during trial operations before moving toward commercial generation in the coming months.

A senior TNGPCL official said the unit is expected to be commissioned in time to meet next summer’s projected peak demand of 22,000 MW. “Generation from our own thermal units will reduce reliance on high-cost power purchases from outside sources,” the official added.

The project’s engineering, procurement, and construction contract was awarded to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) in December 2017. Alongside Udangudi, TNGPCL chairman J Radhakrishnan has directed BHEL to accelerate work on the 2×660 MW Ennore SEZ supercritical project, with at least one unit targeted for commissioning by March 2026.

During a site visit at Vayalur in Tiruvallur district, Radhakrishnan said that about 70 per cent of construction at Ennore had been completed and urged faster resolution of legal disputes delaying the work. He also reviewed operations at the North Chennai thermal stations, stressing timely maintenance and replacement of ageing components.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..