CHENNAI: Two thermal power plants in Tamil Nadu have
tripped, leading to a shortfall of around 700MW for the last two days. With the
state reeling under an acute power shortage and with demand on the rise due to
the soaring heat, thermal plants across the state, both new and old, have been
tripping frequently due to technical faults. The latest to trip is the Ennore
plant and the newly-commissioned north Chennai thermal plant.
Many thermal plants in the state are aging and need a
regular overhaul. "We need to go in for a major overhaul of all the
thermal plants. But, we cannot do it during the summer months as it will
curtail power production," the official said. Frequent technical problems
plagued the five units of the Ennore thermal power plant, with a total capacity
to produce 450MW. It was commissioned in the 1970s. The total production on
Tuesday was around 10,000MW with wind power erratic between 75MW and 600MW. The
demand is around 12,500MW.
The Ennore plant has been down for the past two days.
"But, there is not much loss from it as its capacity is low and it has
been a problematic plant, tripping on and off. The North Chennai plant, which
was commissioned recently, has tripped due to a technical fault and we are
hopeful of setting it right by Wednesday," said a TNEB official.
On April 15, two units of the Tuticorin Thermal Plant
tripped, leading to a loss of 450MW. On the same day, unit 2 of the Madras
Atomic Power Station (MAPS) in Kalpakkam, with a capacity to produce 110MW, had
to be shut down due to a problem in the generator. "The two units of the
Tuticorin plant have been set right and it is operational now. But MAPS is not
under our control and we came to know that it will take at least a month for
the atomic unit to become operational," the official said.
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