For efficient handling of coal, Tangedco or Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company would set up wagon loading facilities in north Chennai. It was later brought to light by a senior official from Tangedco that work has been going on to obtain feasibility reports for the Rs 50 cr project.
There are certain locations from where Tangedco sources coal now and these are Talcher and IB Valley mines in Odisha, Singareni mines in Telangana etc. Point is that coal gets transported from Odisha to Ennore, Thoothukudi and to Karaikal ports to supply the thermal plants. With the help of wagons, Singareni coal mines also supply coal to Mettur Thermal Power Station.
Operation of newly built thermal power station in north Chennai:
It has been confirmed that Tangedco is planning to operate the newly constructed North Chennai Stage 3 Thermal Power Station by the month of December 2023. For this, Tangedco would also sign M0U with Singareni mines for procuring additional coal. As there is no wagon loader in the north Chennai now, Tangedco has taken up this decision of setting up of this facility here.
From Singareni mines alone, Tangedco procured 14.03 lakhs tonne sof coal in 2022-23. It must be recalled that on 20th April the power demand touched 19347 MW. It is now predicted by Tangedco that in the next 6 years the demand would be around 25000 MW. The power generation sources are being established across TN to meet the huge demand. This was mentioned by an official from Tangedco.
He added that construction has been going on for coal based power plants in north Chennai, Udangudi and Uppur. The combined capacity of these 3 would be 5700MW. Hence, there would be huge demand for coal and infrastructure. Information gathered is that Tangedco would take part in all bidding processes initiated by Coal India.