Tamil Nadu Power Generation Corporation Ltd (TNPGCL) has decided to execute the 660-MW Ennore Thermal Power Station (ETPS) expansion project. Earlier it was proposed to execute the project under the public private partnership (PPP) route.
According to agenda for a meeting of Southern Regional Power Committee which had information on status of new thermal projects of central and state sector in a board meeting held earlier this year, it was decided that the ETPS expansion project will be executed by TNPGCL.
Initially, the engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the project was awarded to Lanco Infra Tech Ltd in 2014, which was terminated in 2018 due to poor progress. Later, letter of award (LOA) for executing the balance works on ’as is where is basis’ condition for the project was issued to BGR Energy Systems Ltd in 2022 for a value of ₹ 4,442.75 crore and it was terminated last year due to slow progress, as per State Energy Department’s policy note for 2024-25.
However, considering the present energy scenario, it has been proposed to envisage the project under PPP mode, the note had said.
According to information from Central Electricity Authority, the State utility had engaged SBI Caps for the preparation of Feasibility Report for the execution of the project. In December 2024, the State Electricity department said the project would help ensure grid stability and increase power generation.
The State’s power demand is increasing by 10% every year, and to meet the increasing demand, projects like ETPS and Udangudi Super Critical Thermal Project have been planned, and work is underway. These projects would not impact the environment, it had said.
TNPGCL own thermal power capacity is 4,320 MW. Along with the State’s share from Central Generating Stations (CGS) and other contracts, Tamil Nadu’s total conventional capacity stands at 15,839.56 MW.
Published – March 17, 2025 12:52 am IST