A simple note on Thermal Power Stations in Tamil Nadu

The State of Tamil Nadu has developed a diversified energy sector; the state is one of the better-off states in the country in terms of power generation. Tamil Nadu has achieved 100% village electrification in recent years. The thermal power plants are responsible for a large amount of power generation in Tamil Nadu. The government has installed some of the biggest thermal power plants in Tamil Nadu. The following article details the thermal energy sector in Tamil Nadu. 

Thermal energy in Tamil Nadu 

The State of Tamil Nadu relies heavily on power generation through thermal power plants. The state has four major thermal power stations; the working, organisation, and functioning of these thermal power plants and other energy generation facilities are taken care of by Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd (TANGEDCO).

The state government owns the TANGEDCO, which was formed in 2010. TANGEDCO operates thermal energy plants in the state, including the highest thermal power plant and the biggest thermal power plant in Tamil Nadu.  

List of the thermal power plants in Tamil Nadu

The following is a thermal power plant list in Tamil Nadu:

• Ennore Thermal Power Plant (Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 450 MW)

Ennore Thermal Power Station is situated in Chennai, Ennore area. The following are important points about the thermal power station:

• Ennore Thermal Power station was constructed in 1970.
• This power plant generates electricity by burning coal. 
• The total installed capacity of this power plant is 450 MW.
• Ennore Port is an essential point for importing the coal needed for energy generation.
• The plant was shut down in 2017 with a proposal to replace the facility with a new 660 MW facility.

• Mettur Thermal Power Plant (Salem, Tamil Nadu, 450 MW)

Mettur Thermal Power Station is an electric power generation facility located in the northwest district of Salem in Tamil Nadu. 

• The TANGEDCO controls and manages this power plant.
• This power plant is the first inland thermal power plant in Tamil Nadu.
• It was authorised in 1987. 
• The coal for the power generation is brought from various ports on the eastern coast of India; the coal is brought to the Mettur Power Station from the Ennore Power Station through railroads.
• The overall installed capacity of this plant is 450 MW.
• Mettur Thermal Power Station has five operational units.  

• The North Chennai Thermal Power Plant (Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, 1830 MW)

The North Chennai thermal power station is one of the most critical energy generation facilities in Tamil Nadu, as it is the biggest thermal power plant in Tamil Nadu.

• The thermal station was commissioned in 1994.
• It is situated in the Thiruvallur district and is 25 km north of Chennai city.
• It is also a coal-based power station.
• The coal for generation is brought by the Ennore port, which is the closest port to the facility.
• TANGEDCO controls this power plant.
• It is the biggest thermal power plant in Tamil Nadu and has an installed capacity of 1830 MW.
• It is also the highest thermal power plant in terms of energy generation.
• At present, the power plant is operated with the help of five different units of different capacities.

• Tuticorin Thermal Power Plant (Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, 1050 MW)

Tuticorin thermal power plant is situated in the southern part of Tamil Nadu. This thermal power plant is located on the Bay of Bengal’s coast.

• Tuticorin thermal power plant is the second-highest thermal power plant in Tamil Nadu in terms of installed capacity.
• It was commissioned in 1979.
• Port Thoothukudi serves as the importer of coal for the plant.
• Tuticorin thermal power station is spread across an area of 400 acres.
• Tuticorin thermal power plant has a total installed capacity of 1050 MW.
• The thermal plant is operated with five different units.

Proposed thermal power plant projects in Tamil Nadu

Considering the increasing demands for energy throughout the state, the government of Tamil Nadu has proposed the development of various thermal power plant facilities across the state. The following is the list of proposed thermal power plants in Tamil Nadu:

1. Upper Thermal Power Project (Tiruvadanai)
2. Development of Stage III Thermal Power Project in North Chennai Thermal Power Plant
3. Development of Stage IV Thermal Power Project in North Chennai Thermal Power Plant
4. Udangudi Super Critical Thermal Power Project (Stage I) 
5. Ennore SEZ Super Critical Thermal Power Project.

Conclusion

Tamil Nadu is an important state for power generation; most of the electricity generated in the state is derived from coal-based thermal power plants. Tamil Nadu has four coal-based thermal power plants. North Chennai Thermal Power Plant is the biggest thermal power plant in Tamil Nadu, and Tuticorin thermal power station is the second-highest thermal power plant in production.