Chennai, March 15: Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) has announced that the first unit of the 2×660 megawatt Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Plant will be operational by June.
This project, one of the state’s major power generation initiatives, has already commenced preliminary electricity production of approximately 400 megawatts as of February. TANGEDCO officials stated that the production capacity will be gradually increased in the coming weeks as part of the final testing process.
According to TANGEDCO’s Managing Director M. Govinda Rao, the company plans to ramp up the first unit’s capacity to 660 megawatts soon. He mentioned that the plant will operate at full capacity of 660 megawatts starting next week. Before commercial operations begin, the plant must run uninterrupted at full capacity for 72 hours, a milestone expected to be achieved by June.
The Udangudi project is anticipated to play a crucial role in meeting Tamil Nadu’s rising electricity demand, especially during the summer months when consumption spikes across the state. Govinda Rao credited the dedicated efforts of engineers, technical teams, and all personnel involved in the project for making the launch possible ahead of the summer surge in electricity demand.
Construction of the Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Plant began in 2018. The project employs modern supercritical technology designed to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions compared to traditional coal-based power plants.
To ensure uninterrupted power generation, a dedicated coal jetty has been established for continuous fuel supply. Once both units are operational, the Udangudi project will increase Tamil Nadu’s installed power capacity by 1,320 megawatts, bolstering the state’s energy security and aiding in meeting the growing industrial and domestic demand.
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