PrepMaticTamil Nadu GK · Economy & infrastructure
Power plants in Tamil Nadu: thermal, nuclear, hydro and renewable
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Tamil Nadu's best-known power stations are the Neyveli lignite plants (Cuddalore), the Mettur, North Chennai, Tuticorin and Vallur thermal plants, the Kudankulam nuclear plant (Tirunelveli), the Kundah hydro complex (Nilgiris) and the wind farms of Muppandal in Kanniyakumari. The state also has the Kalpakkam nuclear station near Chennai and one of the world's biggest solar parks at Kamuthi in Ramanathapuram. Capacity figures change every year, so this page lists plants and districts instead of megawatts.
Power stations by type
| Type | Plant | District | Key fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lignite thermal | Neyveli (NLC India Limited) | Cuddalore | Runs on lignite from the adjacent open-cast mines |
| Coal thermal | Mettur | Salem | State-run; near the Mettur Dam |
| Coal thermal | North Chennai | Thiruvallur | Athipattu; state-run |
| Coal thermal | Tuticorin | Thoothukudi | State-run; near the port |
| Coal thermal | Vallur | Thiruvallur | Joint venture of NTPC and the state electricity utility |
| Gas thermal | Kuttalam and Valuthur | Mayiladuthurai and Ramanathapuram | Gas-based stations |
| Nuclear | Kudankulam (KKNPP) | Tirunelveli | Russian-designed VVER-1000 reactors; units 1 and 2 running, further units under construction |
| Nuclear | Kalpakkam (MAPS) | Chengalpattu | Madras Atomic Power Station with two 220 MW units; also the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research |
| Fast breeder | Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor | Chengalpattu | 500 MW reactor built by BHAVINI at Kalpakkam; check DAE for its current status |
| Hydro | Kundah complex | Nilgiris | Among the largest hydro complexes of the state |
| Hydro | Pykara and Moyar | Nilgiris | Stations in the Nilgiris system |
| Hydro | Mettur | Salem | On the Cauvery |
| Hydro | Papanasam | Tirunelveli | On the Tamirabarani |
| Pumped storage | Kadamparai | Coimbatore | 400 MW; in the Anamalai hills |
| Wind | Muppandal and Aralvaimozhi | Kanniyakumari | Among the biggest wind farm clusters in India |
| Wind | Palladam, Udumalpet and Kayathar areas | Tiruppur and Thoothukudi | More wind-farm clusters |
| Solar | Kamuthi | Ramanathapuram | 648 MW; one of the world's largest single-location solar plants when commissioned in 2016 |
The status of plants, retirements and new units changes. For current capacity use the Central Electricity Authority and the state utility.
Why wind is so strong in Tamil Nadu
During the south-west monsoon, from about May to September, strong winds funnel through the Palakkad Gap and the Aralvaimozhi pass, which is why wind farms cluster in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tiruppur and Coimbatore. Wind power makes Tamil Nadu one of the leading wind states in India. See mountain peaks of Tamil Nadu for the gaps and climate and monsoon of Tamil Nadu for the winds.
Institutions
- Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). Created in 1957.
- Unbundling in 2010. The board was split into separate generation, distribution and transmission companies, known at the time as TANGEDCO and TANTRANSCO. The state has reorganised its utilities since, so old question papers use the older names; check the current names on the state government portal.
- NPCIL. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited runs Kudankulam and Kalpakkam's atomic power station.
- NLC India Limited. A central public sector company that mines lignite and runs the Neyveli power plants.
Short notes on most-asked items
- Kudankulam is in Tirunelveli district and was built with Russian help.
- Kalpakkam has the Madras Atomic Power Station, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor.
- Neyveli equals lignite power. See minerals of Tamil Nadu.
- Kundah is the biggest hydro group in the Nilgiris, built across several stages.
- Kamuthi is the solar park in Ramanathapuram.
- Muppandal is the wind farm in Kanniyakumari.
How to revise
Make a map with one pin for each type: Neyveli (lignite), Mettur (coal and hydro), Kudankulam (nuclear), Kalpakkam (nuclear), Kundah (hydro), Muppandal (wind), Kamuthi (solar). Then add the dam behind each hydro station from the dams in Tamil Nadu page. The development administration in Tamil Nadu guide covers where energy fits into Unit V.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Kudankulam nuclear power plant?
In Tirunelveli district, on the coast. It uses Russian-designed reactors.
Which place in Tamil Nadu is known for lignite-based power?
Neyveli in Cuddalore district.
Where is the Muppandal wind farm?
In Kanniyakumari district, near the Aralvaimozhi pass.
Where is the Kamuthi solar power project?
In Ramanathapuram district. It was commissioned in 2016.
Official sources
- Central Electricity Authority
- Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited
- NLC India Limited
- Government of Tamil Nadu portal
Capacity and unit status change often, so rely on these sources for current figures.
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