In what could be described as a major milestone event, the first unit (1 x 500 MW) of the Vallur Super Thermal Power Station has begun production. While Tamil Nadu is set to get 75 per cent (375 MW) of electricity, the rest is apportioned to other Southern states besides Puducherry.
The NTPC Tamil Nadu Energy Company Limited, (NTECL), a joint venture of NTPC Limited and TNEB, now TANGEDCO, officially declared commercial operations, effective 12 am on November 29. The Commercial Operations Declaration (COD) is of great significance as it means that electricity generation from the new plant is “firm, dependable and continuous”.
“Although the plant touched production of full capacity of 500 MW by April itself, sustained production could not be achieved soon as it happens with any new power station. Also, non-completion of coal and ash handling systems were among the issues that contributed to the delay,” an NTECL official said.
According to Southern Regional Load Dispatch Centre, the Vallur plant generated 201 MW (Day Peak, 2.81 Million Units) on Dec 1.
A major task of providing a multi-circuit over head line (400KV) linking the plant with the Nellore-Alamathy-Sriperumbudur 400 KV double circuit transmission line was completed in 2011.
The synchronisation of the plant was completed on March 9, 2012. The plant’s coal conveyor system, which includes a 4.4 km long pipe conveyor with a capacity of 4,000 tonnes/per hour is touted as the “world’s largest pipe conveyor,” by the TANGEDCO.
The second and third units of the Vallur plant are expected to go on stream by March and November next year respectively.