Massive expansion of thermal generation capacity to the tune of over 55,000 mw is on the anvil in Tamil Nadu.
Though power cuts in the state are not uncommon, they come at a time when the demand for power is abysmally low; this shows the extent of the power crisis. Failure to augment capacity of thermal power stations in the state in the last decade has led to the present power crisis.
Over 80 per cent of the proposed projects are to be set up in the three districts of Tuticorin, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore, raising environmental concerns. Tuticorin will have the highest concentration of thermal power plants with a capacity of 20,800 mw with Nagapattinam and Cuddalore with 11,800 mw and 8,600 mw, according to the union ministry of environment and forest data.
The proposed gas and coal based thermal power projects are in various stages of implementation.
The total installed electricity generation capacity in the state is around 18,515 mw including 8150 mw from thermal power plants and 8,000 mw from renewable energy sources.
New power projects account for more than seven times the existing installed thermal capacity of 8150 mw.
According to MoEF statistics, 29,921 mw projects have got environment clearance (EC) while 25,000 mw projects await EC, or have terms of reference (TOR) or are awaiting TOR.
While the state and central sectors have a large share in the existing thermal power stations with about 85 per cent, the proportion of private sector plants has increased to a whopping 75 per cent.
A senior Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation official said that capacity addition and new power projects of the state and the central governments would directly improve the power situation.
“Projects like the NLC-TNEB joint venture project in Tuticorin, Udangudi, Uppur and the Cheyyur ultra mega power project will be commissioned by 2018-19,” the official said, pointing out that the coming up of new state and central projects besides long term power purchase would make the state a power surplus one by the end of next year.
As regards merchant power projects, the official said that they need not get any license from Tangedco under the Electricity Act 2003. The 2003 act enables merchant power plants to generate and sell their power at their will, the official said, adding they do not have any details on private power projects coming up in the state.
No comments:
Post a Comment