TANGEDCO inks MoUs to step up power production

TIRUCHY: In a move aimed at solving the erratic power shutdown problem, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) has signed MoUs with the NLC-Tamil Nadu Power Limited (NTPL), Mettur Power Project, TNEB/BHEL Power Project and Kudangulam Power Project to increase production, said N Balakrishnan, Chief Engineer, here on Wednesday.At a meeting to discuss the power shutdown issue with representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations, TANGEDCO officials said that the State needed at least 10,000 mW power everyday, while the production was only 8,500 mW. With the above projects, the TANGEDCO targets to produce 2,000 mW extra by 2012 and will gradually increase the production to 3,000 mW.The grievances of consumers were put forth through service organisations that participated in the meeting. Uninterrupted power supply for about six hours in the morning and four hours in the evening everyday for agricultural purposes and stable voltage were the major demands of the consumers. The participants also questioned the rationale behind the promise made by  the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation for uninterrupted power supply to multi-national companies.To a query on solar power generation, the chief engineer said nearly seven acres of land and `12,000 crore are needed to produce 1 mW of solar power. “An individual has to spend `3 lakh to install a solar cell on the roof of the house and that will produce 500 mW. If TANGEDCO is urged to produce power through solar energy, then a unit would cost `18, he said.He also said that steps were being taken to produce power from coal, bio-mass and sugar bagasse.When questioned if power shutdown could be made at regular intervals rather than continuously for nearly four to five hours a day, he pointed out the contradicting views of the consumers. “Few prefer continuous power shutdown as they can carry on with their job without  intervention. On the flip side, few others insist on shutdown at regular intervals,” he said.The consumers also appreciated the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, Tiruchy, for the initiatives it had taken for easier bill payment.