Tangedco faces 1,610 MW generation loss, 2 units shut

Chennai: Tangedco is facing a loss of 1,610MW generating capacity from its own thermal and nuclear power stations, with two thermal units in North Chennai with a total capacity of 810MW being shutdown due to glitches and for annual overhaul.

Already only one (500MW) of the two units of Kudankulam Nuclear project is working, while two units of Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) with a combined capacity of 440MW are also down. Taking into consideration Tangedco’s share from MAPS, the state powerutility is missing out around 1,610MW of generation capacity at present.

One 600MW capacity thermal unit in North Chennai has now been shut down due to a problem in its boiler. “The 600MW had to be shutdown following a puncture in the boiler. It is expected to restart power generation only by month end,” said a senior Tangedco official.

A 210MW capacity thermal unit, part of North Chennai project, has been shut down for overhauling and is likely to be ready to generate power only by the month end.

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The demand has been low (12,900MW) since it is weekend, but by Monday, the demand will touch 14,500MW or more. “Despite the two units not generating power, we will be able to meet the demand without any power cuts,” said the official.

“Last week we had good wind power generation to the extent of 800 to 900MW during evening and early morning hours. But in the last two days, the wind power generation is also down,” said the official.

The discom is confident of meeting the demand without any power cuts by purchasing power from private companies as well as from the electricity exchange (Open market by bidding).[ETEnergyWorld]

“We have already entered into short term MoUs with private power companies expecting the demand to be higher in the months of January to mid-May when the wind power generation will start. We will be getting power supply from these units as well as through the exchange from electricity market and will be able to meet the demand without any shortage,” said the official.

After touching a record tariff sometime back, the power tariff in Indian Electricity Exchange is lower as the demand from northern states is less. 

For Tamil Nadu, the average tariff is less than Rs 3 per unit and Tangedco will be bidding early each day, based on the demand forecast, and thereby buying the power at a lower tariff.