Chennai: In a setback to the state, the Union ministry of power has rejected power- starved Tamil Nadu’s demand for full allocation of the Centre’s unallocated share of 15 per cent (150 mega watt) from the first 1,000 mw unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNP) and allocated 50 mw to Andhra Pradesh.
Though the Centre allocated 100 mw from its unallocated share to TN in 2012, the state government has been demanding the remaining 50 mw, citing the huge power shortage. The power ministry, in an order dated September 29, has allocated 50 mw to AP and this will come into effect from the date when the unit starts its commercial operation.
As per the new allocation, TN will receive 562.50 mw from KKNP. Karnataka and Kerala will get 221 mw and 133 mw while Puducherry will receive 33.50 mw. Interestingly, TN gets nearly 18.38 mw more power under the new allocation.
Sources in KKNP said that the unit which is under forced outage from September 26 due to a turbine problem was likely to resume generation from October 20. The official said the nuclear plant would most likely commence commercial generation by next month.
TN has been urging the Centre to allocate its share of 450 mw from the 2,000 mw KKNPP, 1,000 mw NLC-TNEB thermal power plant, 500 mw NLC Thermal Station II expansion and 500 mw (unit III) of Vallur thermal power plant for TN.
Former chief minister Jayalalithaa demanded during her meeting with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on June that the state deserve 15 per cent unallocated power fully.
