The Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited (Tantransco) has urged the NTECL Vallur Thermal Power Station unit-1 to be reinstated soon due to high power demand. The Vallur Thermal Power Station, a collaboration between NTPC Ltd. and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company Ltd (Tangedco), has a capacity of 1,500 MW, with Tangedco holding a share of 1,064 MW from the central power generating station.
However, Tantransco stated that Vallur unit-1 has been offline since May 5 and required generator seal oil leakage repairs. As a result, Tamil Nadu is losing 356 MW from the central power generating station, causing shortages in availability. The state is facing a consistent demand of around 17,500 MW to 18,000 MW this summer season, with an all-time high demand of 19,387 MW and an all-time high daily consumption of 423.785 million units on April 20.
According to the State Energy Department’s policy note, the state had executed long-term power purchase agreements based on the allocation of power from the Union Ministry of Power’s central power generating stations, with agreements for 7,170 MW. However, peak availability at any given time is only 5,900 MW.
The NTECL has requested an extension to the unit’s shutdown until June 6, stating that they were taking necessary measures to bring it back. However, Tantransco is pushing for the unit’s swift return, urging the importance of meeting high power demand during the summer season.
