Chennai: Fire erupted at the NTECL Vallur Thermal Power Plant during early hours of Sunday, reducing to ashes the third turbine generator unit. No causalities were reported, said officials from the power plant.
“It started at around 6 am and it took three hours to douse the fire. While the exciter exploded, the turbine and generator caught fire. It is a major fire and the loss could up to Rs 10 crore,” said an official from Fire and Rescue Services adding that the power generation had been suspended since the fire broke out.
According to officials, the reason for the fire could be leakage from the sides of the turbine that heated the bearings contributing to flames.
It may take at least three months to repair the unit as it is major fire and the room is completely gutted. The thermal power plant generates 3x500 MW coal based power, which is supplied to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. However, TNEB officials say there is nothing to worry about power shortage in the City. “1,500 MW is produced by the plant and Tamil Nadu gets 1,065 MW from it. This fire will not have much impact on the power supply,” said an official.
The power plant is operated by the NTPC Tamil Nadu Energy Company Ltd that is a joint venture between National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation.
