While the first unit of Tuticorin Thermal Power Station (TTPS) with a capacity of 210 MW remains on standby since Thursday morning, the fourth unit with the same capacity resumed power generation since Wednesday evening.
The wind energy being generated considerably from the wind mills under Tirunelveli Circle, Non Conventional Energy Sources, has prompted the authorities to suspend power generation from the first unit. On other side, the fourth unit of TTPS that underwent a 15-day annual overhauling was scheduled to resume generation on June 29. But, the works were completed a day ahead of schedule and brought to service, sources told The Hindu .
Currently, four units with a capacity of 210 MW each, are operational. Moreover, the electricity demand across the State had increased above 15,000 MW on Wednesday. A few days ago, there was a slump in consumption that went below 13,000 MW, sources said.
However, the TTPS still stands in need of water supply through TWAD Board for power generation.
To ensure uninterrupted generation, water loads were being sourced locally. The district administration had discontinued water supply to the TTPS since January 7 this year according priority to drinking needs. Even though water level in Papanasam dam rose to some extent now, the TTPS was yet to receive required amount of water.
There was no consistency in the inflow of water into the dam.
The inflow was 1680.31 cusecs on Thursday. The water level in the Papanasam dam was 47.30 feet. If the catchment areas received incessant rains and the water level in the dam touched 70 feet and above, then TTPS could possibly receive its required supply of water, sources said.
The wind energy generated from wind mills across the state was 4,000 MW on Thursday until 4 p.m. Of this output, the Tirunelveli Circle of Non Conventional Energy Sources accounted for around 2,000 MW. But, there has been a fluctuation in generation between 2,000 MW and 2,100 MW at 4 p.m. from the wind mills at stations including Muppandal, Shencottah, Aralvaimozhi and Kayathar. The solar power generation also increased to 900 MW on Thursday as against 600 MW on Wednesday from panels set up at locations including Kamuthi, Tiruchuli, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi under this Circle, sources said.
