Vazhuthur Plant II begins its power generation

RAMANATHAPURAM: After over a year-long hiatus, the Phase Two power plant located in Vazhuthur started its power generation recently giving 60 megawatt to the Grid regularly.Experts have completed the test run and the power plant is generating 60 megawatt power at present.The officials are taking additional effort to produce 30 megawatt power from the plant  through steam.The two plants are being operated without any snag and the State has to get sufficient energy shortly.It may be recalled that Phase Two power plant once had a capacity of 90 megawatt, including 30 megawatt that came from steam. However, a technical problem erupted that impeded the power generation in the plant. Experts and other technicians said that the machine was in dire need of fresh spare parts to operate the turbine. Following the inevitable need, the plant was left motionless for more than a year.The history of Phase Two power plant is interesting. After prolonged exploration of gas in the district, a gas turbine power plant was established in Vazhuthur village located at a distance of 15 km from Ramanathapuram town. The first phase power plant, which was generating 92 megawatt power, was initially maintained by BHELand later handed over to the TNEB, and the power was utilised across the state. Similarly, some private power plants, including coal power plant, are also rendering support to produce power in the district. The TNEB is procuring the power from the private power plants for a reasonable price.Meanwhile, the previous DMK government had come forward with the idea of establishing another plant, called Phase Two, in the Vazhuthur power plant compound and laid the foundation stone on July 3, 2006. The construction works were completed later and power generation commenced in 2008.The plant did not function after a technical error and it was neglected. The previous government also failed to take immediate action to rectify the problem.Meanwhile, the AIADMK came to power with a thumping majority and urged the respective officials to rectify the problem so that power cuts in the State could be reduced. Following this, TNEB officials carried out repairs at the plant on a war-footing and procured adequate spares to operate the machine. And thus, the once inactive Phase Two power plant started functioning recently. Rajendran, Superintending Engineer, Vazhuthur Power Plant, said that following government orders, Phase Two plant had started its power generation after a long break.