The power shortage in Tamil Nadu has largely been addressed and is no longer a cause for concern in the State which will become self sufficient in power by year-end, assured Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in the Assembly on Friday .
Responding to a calling attention motion, she said the State Government had, over the last couple of years, expedited the ongoing power projects which now supply an additional 1,700 MW; arranged for power supply by entering into medium-term power supply agreements for 500 MW and long term agreements for about 2,122 MW with other States; and has expedited power projects in the pipeline.
The utility has supplied over 270 million units of electricity daily in October as compared with 180 million units in the same period last year. It has also fully met an unprecedented peak demand of 12,118 MW, she said.
Tamil Nadu has faced a power shortage since 2008.
T&D infrastructure
The State Government has expedited the 600 MW Mettur Thermal Power Station; the North Chennai Thermal Power Station Stage II, which supplies 300 MW now and will step up to 600 MW in December; and the second phase of the NCTPS which is now under trial production, is supplying 350-450 MW and will supply 600 MW from November.
Two of the three units of the 3x500 MW Vallur power project established jointly with the National Thermal Power Corporation are now generating power and the third is expected to start in May 2014.
The 1,000 MW joint venture power project in Tuticorin by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and the Neyveli Lignite Corporation will go on stream in May 2014. The State Government has approached the Supreme Court to get the forest lands converted appropriately for use for the project.
The Chief Minister said the transmission and power distribution infrastructure is also being strengthened.
Large projects
Large power projects are also in the pipeline to meet the long term needs, Jayalalithaa said. The projects include a 660 MW Ennore Thermal Plant expansion at a cost of Rs 4,000 crore; 2x660 MW Ennore SEZ power project at a cost of Rs 8,000 crore; 2x660 MW Udangudi power project and coal jetty planned at a cost of Rs 9,000 crore; and the 2x800 MW Uppur thermal power project in Ramanathapuram.
Feasibility studies are also on for a 2,000 MW pumped storage hydropower project in the Nilgiris at a cost of Rs 7,000 crore, she said.
The Tamil Nadu Government has also taken steps to tackle the challenge of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board’s accumulated losses of Rs 40,375 crore by providing guarantees, debt restructuring, grants and equity.