CHENNAI: The Tuticorin thermal power plant with a total capacity of 1,050 MW has been shut down as the Tamirabarani river has gone dry.

‘NLC poised to substantially increase power generation capacity’

The first unit of the 1,000-MW Tuticorin thermal power project (2x500 MW), now under construction, is likely to be commissioned in December 2013 and the second unit by March 2014.

Power situation likely to ease after six months: Annadurai

At a time when the State is reeling under acute power crisis, industrial units can make use of solar energy wherever possible for their electricity requirements that would not only help in cutting down their power tariff bills but also help in conserving electricity, P. Annadurai, Chief Engineer-Distribution, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, Tiruchi region, said on Sunday.

TPS-II Expansion at Neyveli and coal-based power plant at Tuticorin expected to commence operations in 2013-14

Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) is planning to increase its power generation capacity to 4,240 MW with TPS-II Expansion (500MW) at Neyveli and a coal-based power plant of 1,000 MW at (NTPL), Tuticorin expected to commence operations in 2013-14. This would also help the state of Tamil Nadu to address its power shortage, which is currently around 4,000 Mega Watt (MW).

With the conventional energy projects unable to address the power crisis, 2012 saw the emergence of renewable energy in a big way. The state government announced a new solar policy with a target to set up 3,000 Mw of solar power in three years.

Severe power shortage made chief minister J Jayalalithaa write several letters to the Prime Minister seeking Centre's support to address the issue and also for speedy clearance of projects.

Spic Electric Power Corporation (SEPC), a subsidiary of Tamilnadu Petroproducts Ltd (TPL), has decided to revive its 523-Mw thermal power plant at Tuticorin, shelved 11 years earlier.

The Rs 2,300-crore project was conceived in 1995 but put on hold in 2001 due to a land dispute. In its annual report, SEPC said the V O Chidambaranar Port Trust (formerly Tuticorin Port Trust) has agreed to give alternative land to start work on the project. SEPC had already got environmental clearance, the company said in its annual report. It had,it said, held a fruitful discussion with the Port Trust officials and sought permission for various facilities.

Valediction of the ‘Energy Conservation Week’ celebrations were held here on Saturday.

When the celebrations began on August 21, students of various schools took out an awareness rally at Palayamkottai to highlight the need for saving power. In the valediction held at Palayamkottai, Commissioner (in charge), Tirunelveli Corporation, T. Mohan, disbursed prizes to winners of competitions conducted in connection with energy conservation for school students.

Projects with an aggregate capacity of 3,450 MW being executed by BHEL

Several coal-fired thermal power projects with an aggregate capacity of 3,450 MW are expected to be commissioned in Tamil Nadu in the current financial year, according to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), the executing agency.

Days after her government’s green signal to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday said the plant is expected to commence production in two months.

She said this in the Assembly, elaborating on steps to increase energy availability in the state hit by power crisis.

S M Arun | ENS