Vallur Thermal Power Project

Context

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has admitted a case alleging that the Vallur Thermal Power Project is discharging hot effluent into the Kosasthalaiyar River and its backwaters, raising concerns over compliance with environmental and CRZ clearances. Such discharge can increase water temperature and affect aquatic ecosystems.

 About the Project

1. Location: Vallur, Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, near Ennore.
2. Capacity: A 1,500 MW coal-based thermal power plant comprising 3 × 500 MW units.
3. Developer: NTPC Tamil Nadu Energy Company Limited (NTECL), a 50:50 joint venture of NTPC and Tamil Nadu Power Generation Corporation Ltd. (TNPGCL).
4. Operations: Fully operational since 2015; around 70% of power is supplied to Tamil Nadu and the rest to neighbouring states and Puducherry.

 Key Features

1. Coal Supply: Uses about 9 MMT of coal annually, transported from Mahanadi, Central and Eastern Coalfields to Ennore Port through a rail-cum-sea route.
2. Dust-Controlled Transport: A 4.2-km pipe conveyor carries coal from Ennore Port to the plant across Ennore Creek, reducing dust emissions.
3. Seawater Desalination: The plant meets its water needs through seawater, supported by a 20 MLD reverse-osmosis desalination unit.

FAQs

Q1. Where is the Vallur Thermal Power Project located?
Ans: It is located at Vallur in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, near the Ennore region.

Q2. What is the installed capacity of the Vallur project?
Ans: It has an installed capacity of 1,500 MW, comprising three 500-MW units.

Q3. Who operates the Vallur Thermal Power Project?
Ans: It is operated by NTPC Tamil Nadu Energy Company Limited (NTECL).

Q4. What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)?
Ans: Reverse Osmosis is a water-treatment process in which pressure forces water through a semipermeable membrane, removing dissolved salts and other impurities.