
TNPGCL keeps all options, including PPP, open to execute 660-MW Ennore Thermal Power Station expansion project
As per the State Energy Department's policy note for 2025-26, ETPS Expansion Thermal Power Project has faced significant challenges over the years.
Two EPC contractors ( Lanco Infra Tech Ltd and BGR Energy Systems Ltd ) were terminated due to slow progress and poor performance, it said.
Considering the present energy scenario it has been envisaged to execute the project under PPP mode. A purchase order was issued to SBI CAPS on 02.09.2024 for Engaging Transaction Advisory Services for the preparation of Feasibility Report for the execution of 1x660 MW ETPS Expansion project from 'as is where is basis condition' through PPP mode. Pre-draft Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) has been received from M/s. SBI CAPS and is currently under review, the policy note added.
However, earlier there was one hindrance for the project to be executed under the PPP mode. According to agenda for a meeting of Southern Regional Power Committee, the Union Ministry of Coal had informed that coal linkage will not be allotted to projects under PPP mode or those implemented by private companies and Coal will only be allotted if the project is executed by a Central Government entity, State utility, or under a joint venture of such entities.
Meanwhile, the Union government approved a revised Shakti Policy 2025 for coal allocation in May this year.
As per the Methodologies for allocation and earmarking of coal linkages under the revised policy notified by the Union Power Ministry, Coal linkages may be earmarked to the State Governments looking to tie up power through tariff based competitive bidding.
State Governments may allocate the earmarked coal linkage to Thermal Power Projects which are under planning or under construction or commissioned or also to projects to be selected through tariff based competitive bidding, it said.
Meanwhile, Union Ministry of Power has requested the Standing Linkage Committee (Long-Term) for Power Sector to consider the request of Tamil Nadu government to earmark long-term coal linkage to TNPGCL under the revised policy for conducting tariff based competitive bidding to develop and procure 660 MW of power from stranded Ennore TPS Expansion project.
TNPGCL has also sought cancellation of the long term coal linkage allocated to the project under the provisions which were applicable to only Central / State generation companies, as per the agenda for the meeting of the Standing Linkage Committee (Long-Term) for Power Sector.
A senior TNPGCL said the utility is working with Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board on execution of the project and all options including PPP are still open.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Centre: Import duty on apples 50%, no proposal received for hike in tariff
Shimla: As apple growers from Himachal and other apple-growing states have been clamouring for a hike in the import duty of the fruit for the last few years, Union MoS (commerce and industry) Jitin Prasada informed the Rajya Sabha Friday that the ministry has not received any such proposal to date. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The import duty on apples is 50% in India," he told the House in response to a question from Himachal MP Harsh Mahajan (BJP) during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament. Himachal contributes nearly 25% to the country's annual apple production, amounting to about 6.5 lakh metric tonnes, which is valued at approximately Rs 5,000 crore. Himachal BJP spokesperson Chetan Singh Bragta had claimed on July 4 that the Centre had hiked the minimum import price of apples from Rs 50 to Rs 80 per kg. Bragta had said the revised price came into effect following an approval from Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. However, Prasada informed the Rajya Sabha that to protect the interests of apple farmers, there is a minimum import price (MIP) of Rs 50 per kg for the import of apples in India. The Union minister said in the US, the import duty on apples is 0% for normal trade relations (NTR) countries, which includes India. "In addition to the above, the apples coming from Iran, Turkey, and the US have a landed cost above the minimum import price of Rs 50/kg. The import price of apples from Turkey is Rs 66.16/kg, Iran is Rs 51.62/kg, and that from the US is Rs 82.99/kg during 2024-25 FY," Prasada said. The Union minister added that the govt has implemented a nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) policy with effect from April 1, 2010, for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers. Under the policy, a fixed amount of subsidy, decided on an annual or bi-annual basis, is provided on notified P&K fertilisers depending on their nutrient content. Under the NBS scheme, the maximum retail price (MRP) is fixed by fertiliser companies as per market dynamics at a reasonable level, which is monitored by the central govt, he added.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Over 2L farmers, horticulturists adopt chemical-free farming in nearly all panchayats of Himachal: CM
Shimla: Himachal is witnessing a rise in natural farming. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Friday said more than 2.23 lakh farmers and horticulturists have adopted chemical-free farming, either partially or fully, in almost all the panchayats of the state. With this, Himachal has become the first state in the country to promote natural farming by providing a minimum support price (MSP) for various crops grown through this method. In a recently held 'Manthan Baithak' on cooperatives in New Delhi, Union home and cooperative minister Amit Shah too praised the hill state for taking a lead in promoting natural farming in a big way, setting an example for the rest of the country. The chief minister said an MSP of Rs 30 per kg was fixed for maize, which has been further increased to Rs 40. So far, the govt has procured about 400 metric tonnes of maize from 1,509 farmers at the support price. Similarly, wheat is being procured for Rs 60 per kg, and the govt has announced an MSP of Rs 90 on raw turmeric grown through natural farming techniques, which will be processed and marketed under the brand name 'Himachal Haldi'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The state govt has set a target to connect 9.61 lakh farmers with natural farming in a phased manner, he added. In another initiative, the state govt has declared the Pangi subdivision in Chamba district as the state's first natural farming subdivision, aimed at preserving traditional farming practices, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable livelihoods in the remote tribal valley. At present, around 2,244 farmer families are actively practising chemical-free farming in this valley. The govt now plans to transition all 2,920 hectares of cultivated land, covering agriculture, horticulture, and other farming areas, to 100% natural farming.


The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Naidu lays out roadmap before Rajnath for defence sector investments in A.P.
In a determined bid to establish Andhra Pradesh as a national leader in defence and aerospace manufacturing, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has put forward a proposal to the Union Government, aiming to attract major strategic investments to the State. A delegation of senior Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Members of Parliament met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Thursday and submitted the Chief Minister's proposals, which outline a multi-pronged roadmap for defence development in the region. The delegation, led by MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayulu and joined by MPs Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and Daggumalla Prasada Rao, conveyed Mr. Naidu's vision to transform Andhra Pradesh into a robust defence production hub. They submitted two detailed communications from the Chief Minister — both dated May 19 — laying out plans for setting up defence corridors, reviving existing infrastructure, and partnering with the Centre on high-impact manufacturing projects. At the core of the proposal is the establishment of four major defence and aerospace manufacturing clusters strategically located across the State. These include a missile and ammunition production zone in Jaggaiahpet–Donakonda, an aircraft and defence electronics hub in Lepakshi–Madakasira, a naval equipment and weapons testing complex in Visakhapatnam–Anakapalli, and a drone and robotics manufacturing unit in Kurnool–Orvakal region. Together, these clusters would cover over 23,000 acres and serve as the backbone of the State's defence industrial ecosystem. In addition to these hubs, the proposal seeks Central support for a ₹2,400 crore BEL Strategic Complex at Palasamudram and calls for the revival of the aluminium alloy plant of Utkal Alumina and Defence Ltd. (UADNL) in Nellore, which has a capacity of 60,000 TPA. Other projects outlined include land allocation for HAL's expansion plans, establishing an MRO and assembly facility for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program at Lepakshi–Madakasira, and setting up an Air Force Station at Donakonda to support nearby UAV and missile test ranges. Naval SEZ The letter also proposes a Naval SEZ and training centre in Visakhapatnam to support the Eastern Naval Command and allied operations. A DRDO Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence at IIT Tirupati has been suggested to strengthen R&D and innovation in collaboration with academia. To coordinate and oversee the scale of these initiatives, the proposal recommends engaging NITI Aayog, defence industry veterans, and scientific experts, including former DRDO Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy, to guide Andhra Pradesh's transition into a nationally significant defence manufacturing State. In his communication, Mr. Naidu emphasised that these proposals are aligned with the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and are aimed at strengthening India's self-reliance in defence technologies. He highlighted the dual goals of enhancing national security and creating large-scale employment and industrial growth in Andhra Pradesh. He also requested the Defence Ministry's recognition and support for the projects, stating that the proposed hubs will help the State emerge as a key contributor to India's defence and aerospace sector. The outreach marks a renewed and strategic push by Mr. Naidu to attract the country's largest defence investments and position Andhra Pradesh as a future-ready hub for innovation, manufacturing, and strategic capability.