Udangudi power plants to be commissioned by the end of 2025, says Electricity Minister
The first of the two 660-megawatt (MW) power plants being constructed at Udangudi in Thoothukudi district would be commissioned by July, with the second likely to be commissioned in October this year, said Electricity Minister V. Senthilbalaji in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Speaking during the demand for grants for the Electricity Department, he said more than 91% of the work in the Udangudi power project (2x660 MW) had been completed.
He said the North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS) Stage 3 project with a capacity of 800 MW, which was initiated by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, was commissioned and inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on March 7, 2024. The power plant has produced 1,2283 million units. Similarly, 60% of the work on the Ennore SEZ power project, comprising two 660-MW power stations, has been completed, and it is expected to be commissioned by March 2026.
In response to criticism over power tariff hike, Mr. Senthilbalaji said that during the last AIADMK regime, the tariff was increased thrice — 37% in 2012, 3.57% in 2013, and 16% in 2016, and was reduced by 4% in 2017.
In the renewable energy segment for the fiscal 2024-25, 2,786 MW of solar and wind projects were commissioned, with the State being the leader in the renewable energy generation having a total installed capacity of 27,736.56 MW. Also, the Electricity Department achieved the highest target of hydroelectric generation of 4,329 MW fixed by the Central Electricity Authority, the Minister said.
He added that when Mr. Stalin took over the reins, the total installed capacity of power generation was 32,595 MW, and within four years, it had increased to 39,770 MW.
Mr. Senthilbalaji said the State's electricity demand had gone past the 20,000-MW mark, touching an all-time high of 20,830 MW in 2024-25, with the total electricity consumers standing at 3.44 crore. The highest demand in 2020-21 was 16,481 MW.
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