Big power additions happening during 11th Plan in South

The state of Tamil Nadu could become a power surplus state, from its present status as a power deficit one. According to the state government’s representatives, projects worth over Rs 30,000 crore are presently in the execution stage which will add over 4,490 mega watt (Mw).

Against the backdrop of rapid industrial growth and overall economic development in the state, demand for electricity rose from 8,209 Mw at the end of 2005-2006 to 11,000 Mw in 2010-2011. However, power generation by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has increased only marginally, from 5,383 Mw to 5,572 Mw during the same period.

"As the projects for generating electricity have a long gestation period, the lack of far-sighted planning in the past has led to the present crisis. The works for several new projects have been initiated after this government assumed charge. These works are going on in full swing," said Surjit Singh Barnala, governor, Tamil Nadu in an address.

The projects include 1,200 Mw North Chennai Thermal Power Station for Rs 4,600 crore, 600 Mw Mettur Thermal Power Project at a cost of Rs 3,100 crore, 1,500 Mw thermal power plant at Vallur near Chennai in collaboration with the National Thermal Power Corporation at a cost of Rs 9,000 crore, 1,000 Mw Tuticorin Power Plant for Rs 4,909 crore and 1,600 Mw Udangudi Power Plant for Rs 9,000 crore in collaboration with BHEL are in progress. It may be noted, the project is being delayed due to problems with coal linkages.

The works for generating an additional 93 Mw hydel power at Bhavani and Periyar dams for Rs 1,285 crore are also underway.

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (TANGEDCO) is also planning co-generation plants for generating 183 Mw power for an investment of Rs 1,126 crore in 12 co-operative and state-owned sugar mills.

In addition to this, some projects are also being implemented by private sector. As a result of all this, an additional capacity of 900 Mw will be added during the year 2010-2011 itself.

The demand for electricity in Tamil Nadu is estimated to be around 14,224 Mw and the generation is expected to be at 16,425 Mw by the end of Eleventh Five Year Plan. Thus, Tamil Nadu will become a power surplus state in 2012 by completely eliminating power deficit.