SALEM : The Unit IV of the Mettur Thermal Power Plant experienced a snag on Friday, bring power generation by the unit to a halt. The unit, which generates 210 MW, could not be fixed immediately, bringing down the total power generated in the State.
The Mettur Thermal Plant has four units, each unit generating 210 MW taking the total capacity of the plant to 840 MW.
Official sources said that the problem occurred around 10.30 pm and the unit was stopped after engineers tried to fix it. Chief engineer of the plant V Jayabal said there was fault in the transformer which is suspected to have been caused by unexpected fluctuation in the transmission line. Some vital part of the transformer has been affected, he said. “We we found that some spares have to be replaced. Steps have been taken to procure the spares and depending on its availability the unit will be repaired and production will resume,” he said.
The snag occurred a day before the chief engineer is to retire. Sources at the Plant had set a record in TN for maintaining maximum production over a continuous period.