Ennore Thermal Power Station
History
Ennore Thermal Power Station was constructed to serve the purpose of energy generation in the year 1970. It is one of the four major thermal power plants of Tamil Nadu established by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO). Presently it has an installed capacity of 450 MW (600,000 hp). The necessary coal arrives through ship to the Ennore Port. However, the construction of the 1,000 MW plants (1,300,000 hp) in the premise began in the year 2007. The Station presently consists of two 60-MW and three 110-MW units. A 500-MW coal-based unit was proposed, and its development started in the month of November 2007. The total cost of the venture was 270 crores. The plant was shut down on 31.03.2017 and will be replaced.
Features
The Power Station has been a major provider of electricity in the state and its production capacity has been improved over the years. The Ennore Power Station has also garnered various awards from the TANGEDCO. However power deficit seems to be playing an important role for the recent decision. It also has a special treatment plant to dispose the ash slurry in a proper way.
Coal for ETPS is received from MCL (Talchar and Ib Valley), Orissa and ECL, Raniganj, West Bengal. The plant load factor (PLF) for the year 2008–2009 was 49.17 percent.
Capacity
| Unit Number | Installed Capacity (MW) | Date of Commissioning | Date of Decommissioning | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60 | 31 March 1970 | March 31, 2017 | Decommissioned |
| 2 | 60 | 14 February 1971 | March 31, 2017 | Decommissioned |
| 3 | 110 | 17 May 1972 | March 31, 2017 | Decommissioned |
| 4 | 110 | 26 May 1973 | March 31, 2017 | Decommissioned |
| 5 | 110 | 2 December 1975 | March 31, 2017 | Decommissioned |
| 6 | 660 | 2022-23 | N/A | Under Construction |
Shut down and Proposed Replacement
After more than forty years the Power Plant was shut down permanently on March 31, 2017. It will be replaced with a single Supercritical unit of 660 MW, also run by the TANGEDCO. The replacement does not have clearance yet. The plant is opposed by the residents who fear that the new plant will degrade the air quality and lead to a loss of fishing livelihoods.
