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The Tamil Nadu Electric Power Regulatory Commission (TNERC) advises the National Electric Power Company to ensure sufficient manpower for power plants to avoid delaying the commission of projects.
TNERC wrote to Chairman and Managing Director of TNEB Limited after a meeting last month on the status of ongoing and upcoming power generation projects in the state.
According to records of discussion shared by TNERC, the North Chennai Thermal Project III-800 MW has been synchronized with the grid on March 17, 2024 and can operate with imported and domestic coal at a ratio of 50:50.
Trial run
Officials at Tamil Nadu Power Generation Company Limited (TNPGCL) said the plant could generate more than 600 megawatts in a week and could be tested within 30 days.
The plant’s generation will help meet the needs of the next summer. Officials said the project was postponed due to lack of staff at M/S.Bhel staff and the quality of coal.
They also noted that the Kunda Pumping Storage Hydropower Project (4×125 MW) is expected to be commissioned by November 2025.
TNPGCL officials said that commercial operations in the North Chennai Thermal Project Phase – III (1x800MW), Udangudi Thermal Project Phase – I (2×6660 MW) and Kundah Pumping Storage Hydropower Project (4×125 MW) may begin in 2025.
Transition period
It said the manpower for operations and maintenance of these plants may be arranged earlier to ensure smooth operation during the transition from developers to TNPGCL, just like the Tuticorin Thermal Plant and Mettur Thermal Plant phases, I and II.
It calls for the regular deployment of sufficient manpower in technical, non-technical and administrative disciplines, saying this will avoid delays in commissioning projects due to lack of manpower and facilitate completion of projects within scheduled commissioning dates without any other costs or excessive time.
TNERC strongly recommends that TNPGCL arrange sufficient manpower in accordance with the Central Power Administration (CEA) regulations to smoothly operate and maintain these power plants.
In addition, it recommended that Tamil Nadu Transmission Company Ltd. complete the required evacuation facilities before the commercial operation of the relevant power plant begins.
publishing – April 7, 2025 02:26 pm ist
