Power output down as Neyveli mine flooded

CHENNAI: Power generation in the Neyveli Thermal Power Station-I has been affected as the lignite mine is flooded due to heavy rains.The first unit of the Neyveli Thermal Power Station under the Central sector with a capacity of 600 mw supplies 475 mw of power to the Tamil Nadu grid. According to sources in the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), the power production in the plant has come down to 50-75 mw as the flooding of the mine has seriously hampered evacuation of lignite.The generation in Neyveli TS-I Expansion Plant is also sub-optimal now. Normally, the expansion plant supplies 226 mw to the TN grid. This quantum has now come down. The Tuticorin Thermal Power Station, out of the 1050 mw capacity is presently producing only about 650-700 mw. The Tuticorin facility has five 210 mw thermal units. Out of the five, one unit is presently not functioning due to annual maintenance work. All these factors have lowered generation and consequent power availability in the State grid.