Ensure adequate manpower to avoid project delays: TNERC-OxBig News Network

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The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has recommended that the State power utility ensure adequate manpower in power plants to avoid delay in commissioning of projects.

The TNERC wrote to Chairman and Managing Director, TNEB Limited, following a meeting held last month regarding the status of ongoing and upcoming power generation projects in the State.

As per the record notes on the discussions shared by the TNERC, the North Chennai Thermal Project Stage III – 800 MW had already been synchronised with the grid on March 17, 2024, and could run with imported and domestic coal in the ratio of 50:50.

Trial run

Officials from the Tamil Nadu Power Generation Corporation Ltd (TNPGCL) said the plant could generate over 600 MW within a week, and a trial run could be carried out within 30 days.

The generation from this plant will help meet demand during the coming summer. The project was delayed due to dearth of staff from M/s.BHEL and issues with the quality of coal, the officials said.

They also pointed out that the Kundah Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Project (4X125 MW) was expected to be commissioned by November 2025.

The TNPGCL officials said that commercial operations of the North Chennai Thermal Project Stage – III (1x800MW), Udangudi Thermal Power Project Stage – I (2X660 MW) and Kundah Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Power Project (4X125 MW) could begin during 2025, the TNERC said.

Transition period

It said the manpower for the operation and maintenance of these plants could have been arranged earlier to ensure smooth operation of the power plants during the transition period from the developer to the TNPGCL, as was done in the case of Tuticorin Thermal Power Station and Mettur Thermal Power Station Stages – I and II.

It called for the deployment of adequate manpower in the technical, non-technical and administrative disciplines on a regular basis, saying it would avoid delay in commissioning of the projects due to dearth of manpower, and also facilitate completion of the projects within the scheduled date of commissioning and without any additional cost or time overruns.

The TNERC strongly recommended that the TNPGCL arrange adequate manpower for smooth operation and maintenance of these power plants as per the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) norms.

Further, it suggested that the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Ltd complete the required evacuation facilities well before the date of commencement of commercial operations of the power plants concerned.