Chennai: The state govt’s decision to upscale the Thoothukudi Thermal Power Station (TTPS) to increase its power-generation capacity from 1,050MW to 1,600MW will further strain the debt-ridden state power utility and spike electricity costs for consumers. The plan will also worsen pollution and conflict with Tamil Nadu ’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, according to a think tank based in Bengaluru.
Climate Risk Horizons (CRH), which analysed the project’s multi-pronged outcome, suggested the state instead go for a solar project combined with a battery energy storage system (BESS), and said it would save the state up to ₹31,000 crore in 10 years. Chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Aug 31 announced in the assembly that the five ageing 210 MW power generation units of TTPS will be replaced with two 800MW supercritical units at a cost of ₹20,800 crore. However, CRH said in its report that the thermal plant will have a longer gestation period of up to seven years and power produced from the plant would cost between ₹8.75 and ₹10.40 per unit. “The estimated fixed costs payable by Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNPDCL) in the first year of commissioning of the plant is ₹4,120 crore. In the first five years, TNPDCL would have paid ₹20,000 crore,” the report said and added that it would strain TNEB, which is already reeling under ₹2.47 lakh crore debt. CRH said TN can instead install 3,490MW of solar power with a battery storage capacity of 9,067MWh. Though the capital expenditure is estimated at ₹27,289 crore for the solar capacity, the power generation cost is around ₹5 per unit, and the five-year cumulative power cost would be around ₹17,581 crore, compared to ₹34,000 crore from upscaled TTPS for the same period. “TVK said it would achieve 50% of net-zero targets by 2031 and proposed a dedicated ₹3,000 crore annual climate budget.
But the CM has announced a revamp of TTPS, defeating the efforts of the previous govts to achieve net-zero targets,” it said. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chennai | Silver Rate in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Petrol Price in Chennai | Diesel Price in Chennai | CNG Price in Chennai | LPG Price in Chennai Stay updated with the latest Chennai news.
Poovulagin Nanbargal, a city-based environmental conservation organisation, said the CM’s announcement to upscale TTPS conflicted with the TVK’s poll manifesto promises. Building a new plant would only worsen the living conditions of surrounding villages and marine life,” he said. However, TNPDCL officials said thermal plants are the only reliable source of power, though capacity addition of renewable power is also paramount. Yet, the state keeps adding renewable power capacity, and it will continue,” said an official.
Environmentalist G Sundarrajan urged the govt to drop the plan and phase out the present 210MW units in TTPS. “The existing plant itself is functioning in violation of several regulations, and there is no space to dispose of fly ash. “Land availability is a big challenge, as each MW of solar power requires five acres of land. Electricity minister C T R Nirmal Kumar was not available for comment. Download the TOI App.