Dry dam shuts 2 units of TTPS, 420 MW lost

Sources in the TTPs said that power generation has been halted in two units due to the suspension of water supply from the Tamirabarani River, which is on the verge of drying up. As a result, the state would be short of 420 MW. The thermal power station at Thoothukudi meets a vast quantity of state’s power demand. The TTPS houses five units of 210 MW each. It has a combined production capacity of 1,050 MW. 

One of the oldest power station in the state, the TTPS depends hugely on Tamirabarani River for electricity generation. Water is a key requirement in thermal power plants as they would be used as coolant.  Due to poor rainfall during this monsoon season, the level in Tamirabarani came down drastically and the entire Thoothukudi district is reeling under severe drought. 

To tide over drinking water and irrigation crises, the district administration had already stopped water supply from the river to several industries. The 20 MGD (Million Gallons per Day) scheme which had been supplying 7.5 crore litres to 25 large companies in the district, including TTPS, had been suspended. This decision of the district administration has taken a toll on the output at the TTPS. TTPS engineers cautioned that the power shortage might escalate to alarming levels in the coming months when summer reaches its peak. 

A junior engineer, on condition of anonymity, said that there was severe shortage of water and hence two units of TTPS had to be shut. “We are getting water now from NTPL (NLC Tamil Nadu Power Corporation Ltd) through their RO plant and are running the remaining three units. If the meagre supply situation continues, we will have to shut down the rest of the units too,” he explained.

Thoothukudi Collector M Ravi Kumar, when asked about the stoppage of water to TTPS, said “As on Monday, the Srivaikuntam dam has only 2.3 inches of water. It will be used only for drinking water. 

However, TTPS being a government-owned company, I have asked the Executive Engineers of TWAD and PWD to find out some other means to ensure water supply to the plant.” TTPS officials were also directed to approach the Corporation for supply of water to the plant, the Collector added.