CUDDALORE : Heavy rainfall in Cuddalore district affected power production in Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), as only 1,400 MW was being generated as against the total 2,490 MW.
According to a source in NLC, the Thermal Power Station (TPS)-I is now generating 200 MW as against 600 MW, while TPS-II is generating 900-950 MW (1,470 MW) and TPS-I expansion is generating 350 MW (420 MW).”
Lignite excavation has also been hit as the lignite available in the open cast mines got water-soaked due to the continuous rains for the past three days. Carrying lignite through conveyor belt was also a problem owing to the downpour. The Thermal Power Stations are now running on the dry lignite stored in bunkers. The source further said, “During rain, it is normal to carry out maintenance works in power production units. Maintenance work is on in three units in TPS-I and 2 units in TPS-II. But even this work was partially affected as 13,000 contract workers are on indefinite strike.
“As the demand for power is comparatively less during the rainy season and due to the sparse availability of lignite during these times, we usually reduce power generation,” a company source said. Now, water has seeped into the open cast mines and was being pumped out. This situation is likely to last for the most part of the North-East monsoon period.