NewKerala.com

Udangudi Thermal Plant Trial Phase Begins, Full Commissioning by March

Trial operations have commenced at the first 660 MW unit of the Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Plant in Thoothukudi district. The unit was successfully synchronized with the Southern Region power grid during testing, averaging around 120 MW of generation. The project, executed by BHEL for TANGEDCO, includes a dedicated offshore coal jetty to ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply. With the first unit expected to be commissioned by March and the second by May, the plant will add 1,320 MW to significantly boost the state's energy security.

Key Points: Udangudi Thermal Plant Trial Phase, March Commissioning

  • First 660 MW unit enters trial phase
  • Project cost Rs 13,077 crore for two units
  • Dedicated offshore coal jetty developed
  • Unit synchronized with Southern Region grid
  • Full 1,320 MW capacity to be added by May
2 min read

TN's Udangudi thermal plant enters first trial phase, commissioning expected by March

Trial operations start at Udangudi's 660 MW unit. The plant, set for March commissioning, will boost Tamil Nadu's power capacity by 1,320 MW.

"The unit is progressing steadily and is likely to be commissioned by March. - Officials"

Chennai, Feb 8

Trial operations have commenced at the first 660 MW unit of the Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Plant in Thoothukudi district, marking a significant step toward strengthening Tamil Nadu's power generation capacity.

Officials indicated that the unit is progressing steadily and is likely to be commissioned by March.

The Udangudi project, executed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Power Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), consists of two supercritical units of 660 MW each.

The project, launched in 2019 at an estimated cost of Rs 13,077 crore, is designed to improve efficiency and ensure a reliable power supply across the state.

To support an uninterrupted coal supply, TANGEDCO has also developed an offshore coal jetty around eight kilometres off the coast of Kallamozhi. The dedicated jetty will streamline the transportation of imported coal directly to the plant through a conveyor system once it becomes fully operational.

At present, the jetty is awaiting mandatory operational certifications.

The first unit is nearing completion, with most major components installed.

During the trial phase, engineers conducted operational tests to evaluate coordination among different departments involved in generation.

As part of preparations, the plant sought over 20,000 tonnes of coal from the Thoothukudi Thermal Power Station.

More than 10,000 tonnes were transported by road to the Udangudi facility's coal crushing unit to support the initial run. The boiler of Unit 1 was lighted up following regulatory approvals, and the unit was successfully synchronised with the Southern Region power grid.

Power generation during the trial averaged around 120 MW and briefly peaked at 200 MW.

The unit was later shut down temporarily after testing and is scheduled to resume further runs to fine-tune performance and address minor technical issues identified during the process.

Work on the second unit is also progressing, though turbine-related installations remain pending.

Construction of major structures such as boilers and cooling towers has been largely completed.

With commissioning of the first unit expected by March and the second by May, the Udangudi plant is poised to add 1,320 MW of capacity, significantly boosting Tamil Nadu's energy security and meeting growing industrial and domestic demand.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While new power capacity is welcome, I hope TANGEDCO has robust plans for managing the environmental impact, especially with imported coal. We need to balance development with sustainability for future generations.
S
Suresh O
Good step, but the cost seems very high at over 13,000 crore. Hope there is full transparency and no cost overruns. Public money should be used efficiently.
A
Ananya R
As someone from Thoothukudi, we've seen many projects promise development. I truly hope this plant brings real benefits to the local community in terms of employment and infrastructure, not just power for cities like Chennai.
V
Vikram M
Supercritical technology is more efficient, which is a positive. However, the dependence on imported coal is a concern given global price fluctuations. We must accelerate our shift to domestic renewable sources alongside such projects.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see the scale of infrastructure being developed, like the dedicated offshore jetty. The engineering coordination for a project of this size is impressive. Hope the technical fine-tuning goes smoothly.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50