Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO} was created in late 2010 as a result of the restructuring of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), a government owned electricity utility servicing the state of TamilNadu in India. Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation has responsibility for the generation and retailing of electricity, Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation for the transmission network and TNEB Ltd, the holding company for the generation and transmission subsidiaries.

TANGEDCO states that it has a total installed capacity of 10,237 megawatts (MW) from its own power stations as well as from a central power pool and independent power producers. Coal-fired power stations account for 29% of the capacity, gas 5%, hydro 21%, the central share pool 28%, independent producers 12% and other 5%.

Proposed expansion plans for Tamil Nadu
In a late 2011 submission into power restrictions TANGEDCO stated that to meet its load forecast "it is proposed to add around 9772 MW from State sector, 3028 MW as share from Joint venture projects, 6080 MW as share from Central sector Projects/Ultra mega power projects and 4075 MW from IPP during the next 10 years." Of this 22,955 MW of installed capacity, TANGEDCO would be added to the grid.

However, this estimate of both existing and future requirements excluded any allowance for new wind generation capacity. TANGEDCO noted that, as of March 2011, there was an installed capacity of 5887 MW in wind capacity and that there were applications "for installing another 10,000 MW additional capacity" of which it estimated that 5,000MW in capacity would be added in the next five years. However, TANGEDCO bluntly excluded additional wind capacity from both the available capacity and its additional capacity requirements on the grounds that "wind power is infirm." TANGEDCO stated that "through proper scheduling, it might be possible to convert part of the wind power as firm power at least for part of the year. Once scheduling of wind power is implemented, the accuracy of forecasting will also improve. Over a period of time, with constant refining of scheduling, the accuracy can be further improved closer to reality." TANGEDCO also stated that it was investigating the construction of a 500 MW pumped storage hydro project at Kundah and other locations to balance out the variable contribution of wind. The generator also argued that the Renewable Purchase Obligation should be lowered from 14% to 9% to cut TANGEDCO's costs.

TANGEDCO stated that "it is considered that there will not be any difficulty in garnering funds for" its preferred new projects as it had received a commitment from the Rural Electrification Corporation and been approached by Power Finance Corporation (PFC).

Existing coal-fired power stations
TANGEDCO has four existing coal-fired power stations with a total capacity of 2970 MW. These plants are:
 * Ennore Thermal Power Station with an installed capacity of 450 megawatts;
 * Mettur Thermal Power Station with an installed capacity of 840 megawatts;
 * North Chennai Thermal Power Station with an installed capacity of 630 megawatts;
 * Tuticorin Thermal Power Station with an installed capacity of 1050 megawatts;

TANGEDCO consumes approximately 16 million tonnes of coal a year in its existing coal-fired power stations. Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd. and Eastern Coalfields Ltd. supply 13.5 Million tonnes per annum with the remainder "mainly" imported from Indonesia. The coal is transported by rail from the coal mines to the loading ports namely Haldia, Paradip and Vizag and discharged at Ennore Port and Tuticorin Port. At Ennore port coal is either transported to North Chennai Thermal Power Station via a conveyor system or loaded into rail wagons for carriage to the Mettur Thermal Power Station and Ennore Thermal Power Station.

Proposed coal-fired power stations
TANGEDCO has entered into a joint venture with the National Thermal Power Corporation to investigate a new power station with two possible phases to construction. These are:
 * Ennore power station expansion, a proposed 600MW unit co-located with the existing Ennore power station;
 * Vallur I power station a 1000 MW power station comprising two 500 MW units; and
 * Vallur I Phase-II a 500 MW power station based on one 500MW unit.
 * Udangudi power station, a 1600 megawatt project comprising two 800MW units;

Coal allocations
In 2006 TANGEDCO's predecessor was allotted the Gare Pelma Sector II coal block in Raigarh District of the State of Chhattisgarh along with Maharashtra State Mining Corporation by the Ministry of Coal. The companies have formed a joint venture company, Mahatamil Collieries Ltd (MTCL) to develop the coal deposit. As of late 2011 TANGEDCO stated that "detailed exploration work is being carried out" and "is likely to be completed by March 2012. It has been proposed to install a pithead power station utilizing TANGEDCO’s share of coal received from this mine." TANGEDCO states that in August 2011 a Letter of Award (LOA) was issued to M/s. Lanco Infratech Ltd as Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) for both the mine and, using TANGEDCO's share of the coal, the power station. A news report states that the proposed power station would be 3,000 megawatts. (See Gare Pelma power station for more details).

In 2007 TANGEDCO's predecessor was jointly allotted the 1200 million tonne Mandakini B coal block in Orissa with the Orissa Mining Corporation Limited (OMCL), Assam Mineral Development Corporation Limited (AMDC) & Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation Limited (MMDC). In February 2009 the companies have formed a joint venture company, Mandakini B Coal Corporation Limited (MBCCL). Detailed exploration work on the area is currently being undertaken by the Central Mine Planning Design Institute Limited, Ranchi (CMPDIL). TANGEDCO states that "the formalities required for the issue of Prospecting License has been completed and the Govt of Orissa is yet to issue the same. Once the PL is issued, CMPDIL will start the the exploration work immediately. The mined coal from the above block will be utilized to meet the shortfall for the existing thermal power stations and for the future power projects."

Contact details
NPKRR Maaligai, 144,Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002. Phone: 044-28520131 Website: http://www.tangedco.gov.in/index1.php?tempno=1

Related SourceWatch articles

 * India and coal

External resources

 * Project Status January 3, 2012, TANGEDCO