The Hindu : Front Page : State to secure 700 MW of power

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Sunday, Dec 23, 2007
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State to secure 700 MW of power

T. Ramakrishnan

Team of TNEB officials to visit New Delhi tomorrow

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu, which is in the midst of a power shortage, is hopeful of securing at least 700 megawatt of power in the near future.

In addition to 300 MW assured by the Union Government from its pool of unallocated power, the State is making efforts for 400 MW from different sources.

Last Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) signed pacts with the power utilities of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal for purchase of 250 MW, according to a senior official.

This would be under a swap arrangement.

The quantum of power is expected to be supplied to the State next month and will go on for four months.

During July-October, the State is required to return the power to the States.

As a follow-up to the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s announcement on the Centre’s decision to provide 300 MW, a team of senior TNEB officials will visit New Delhi on Monday for discussions with Central authorities to chalk out the modalities.

Next week, TNEB chief S. Machendranathan is scheduled to visit Thiruvananthapuram for talks with his Kerala counterpart to get 150 MW from a private power plant at Kochi.

The possibility of acquiring another 150 MW of Kerala’s share from the Kayankulam power plant will also be explored.

TNEB authorities are also optimistic of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation increasing its power production in the coming days.

Originally, by the end of this week, the Corporation was to restore to the State the supply of about 180 MW, and 230 MW by early January.

The State’s total share is 1,167 MW. But, the recent rain disturbed the plan.

On Saturday morning (around 7-50 a.m.) the peak demand the Board met was about 6,400 MW.

On the corresponding day a year ago, the peak demand was around 7,790 MW.

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