Chennai Power Generation Ltd, a subsidiary of General Mediterranean Holding, has applied to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for fresh `Terms of Reference` (ToR) for a proposed 900 MW Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) based Combined Cycle Power Plant in Kattupalli, near Ennore.
The project, estimated to cost Rs 7,700 crore, will utilize advanced gas turbine technology from General Electric (GE) and cover an area of 31.16 hectares. CPGL has secured an agreement with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) to supply 3.67 million metric standard cubic meters of RLNG daily from the Ennore port terminal.
The power plant is expected to achieve full operation within 30 months and will also include a desalination plant requiring 1.47 lakh cubic meters of seawater daily. TANGEDCO officials highlighted that the zero-emission RLNG plant can quickly adjust power generation, addressing the variability of renewable energy sources.
Initially conceived in 1998 as a coal-based project, the plan shifted to gas following challenges with land acquisition and fuel supply. The current proposal reflects a renewed focus on gas-based energy, leveraging the availability of RLNG from the IOCL terminal.