With power deficit becoming a pressing problem, the Tamil Nadu state government is not surprisingly pushing through many thermal projects in the state. Here is a list of the prominent thermal projects in various stages of development:
- North Chennai Thermal Power Station- Stage-II is being expanded, with two units of 600 MW each expected to get commissioned before July 2012 and October 2012. BHEL is doing turnkey implementation of this 1200 MW expansion
- Mettur Thermal Power Station is being expanded with funding from PFC and is expected to have an additional 600 MW capacity by mid 2012.
- Vallur Thermal Power Project is getting commissioned in multiple stages with an expected cumulative installed capacity of 1500 MW by end of Feb 2013. The project is a Joint Venture between NTPC and TANGEDCO. BHEL is doing turnkey implementation.
- NTPL Thermal Power plant of 1000 MW capacity is under construction at Tutucorin and the 1000 MW is expected to start operations by Feb 2013. The project is a Joint Venture between NLC and TANGEDCO. BHEL is doing turnkey implementation.
- TANGEDCO has invited expression of interests for a 1600 MW Udangudi Super Critical Thermal Power Project at Thrichendur, Tamil Nadu and it is expected that the project will be commissioned before end of 2013.
- Government of Tamil Nadu has approved an Ultra Mega Power project of 4000 MW capacity at Cheyyur with an estimated cost of Rs.18,000 crores. A Special purpose vehicle M/s. Coastal Tamil Nadu Power Limited has been formed by Power Finance Corporation of India. The project is programmed to be commissioned during the 12th plan period.
I know EAI is about renewable energy and not fossil based power, but the truth is, we are going to live with fossil based power for quite a while. We might not be heavily impressed with all the thermal power development happening around us, but it is possibly the only way we can bridge the power gap for the next one decade.
We are all of course hoping that from thereon (2020 and beyond) most, if not all, power projects will belong to the renewable sector.
