NLC's Tuticorin project to go on stream in Oct

The much-awaited Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC's) phase I of TPS (thermal power station) expansion at Tuticorin is set to be commissioned in October.

Delay in execution by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (Bhel) had resulted in cost and time overruns thereby hampering the 2x250-Mw project B Surender Mohan, who took over as chairman and managing director of NLC recently, said, "he (CMD of Bhel) and his team visited us recently and we had a fruitful discussion on the ongoing projects. Our aim should be not only to achieve the production targets but also to achieve the commissioning of projects under implementation.”

He said Bhel had ensured that the first unit of TPS-II expansion would be commissioned by October 2012 and the synchronisation of unit-II by November, 2012.

Earlier, NLC's former CMD AR Ansari had said, “we could have easily added 1,500 Mw of power to the grid, but we could not, because of them (Bhel). They (Bhel) are really a concern. Delay (in commissioning a power plant) ranges from 45 to 50 months.”

The TPS-II expansion unit would augment the power generation of NLC by another 500 Mw, enhancing the capacity to 3,240 Mw, said Mohan. NLC is the one major sources for Tamil Nadu.

The project — NLC Tamil Nadu Power Ltd (NTPL) — a joint venture between NLC and the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), at Tuticorin was sanctioned with the commissioning schedule of March 2012 and August 2012.

“Due to delay in execution by the package contractors, about 20 months delay is anticipated. Present physical progress is 61 per cent and commissioning is expected by December 2013 & March 2014,” said Mohan.

The Centre has sanctioned another 2x500 Mw Neyveli New Thermal Power project, as a replacement to the existing TPS-I (600 Mw) and this is scheduled to be commissioned in June 2015.

“Initial project activities have already commenced and tendering for major equipment and plants is in progress,” said Mohan.

Meanwhile, the Kundankulam nuclear power plant too is expected to be commissioned in the next few days. Both the development comes at a time when Tamil Nadu is facing a shortage of around 3,500 Mw.