Thoothukudi power plant to begin operation today

Chennai: Tamil Nadu is all set to receive sustained generation of 219 MW from the first 500 MW unit of NLC Tamil Nadu Power Ltd (NTPL) when it commences commercial operations in a couple of days. The 2X500 MW NTPL unit in Thoothukudi, a joint venture project of NLC and Tangedco, is expected to complete mandatory continuous 72 hours full load generation to start commercial operation on Saturday, said NLC sources.

“The unit has completed 48 hours of continuous operation till Friday. We are hopeful of completing the mandatory 72 hours operation on Saturday to begin commercial operation,” the official told DC. The sustained supply of power from the NTPL units will help Tangedco meet the increased power demand due to lifting of power restrictions on industry from Friday. Unit-I, which was synchronised to the grid on February 18, achieved full load generation on March 10. The second unit was synchronised on April 9.

The first 500 MW unit of the plant was scheduled to be commissioned in March 2012 and second unit in August 2012. The deadline for commissioning the units was postponed several times in the last two years due to various reasons. Though the units were ready to start generation in the fag-end of the last year itself, it was unable to commence due to delay in getting forest clearance.

“Since the land in which the plant was built was categorised as forest, we need to get forest clearance for de-reservation of forest land from the Union ministry of environment and forests. Getting the mandatory clearance to commence generation took a long time,” a senior official explained, adding that the ministry finally issued orders with certain conditions on May 5.