Mon Apr 07 08:56:37 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Power Utility Urged to Boost Staffing to Avoid Project Delays
**Chennai, April 7, 2025** – The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has called on the State power utility, TNEB Limited, to significantly increase staffing levels at its power plants to prevent further delays in project commissioning. This recommendation follows a recent meeting reviewing the status of ongoing and upcoming power generation projects.
The TNERC highlighted concerns, particularly regarding the North Chennai Thermal Project Stage III (800 MW), which, while synchronized with the grid in March 2024, experienced delays due to staff shortages from BHEL and coal quality issues. While officials from the Tamil Nadu Power Generation Corporation Ltd (TNPGCL) expect the plant to generate over 600 MW within a week and conduct a trial run within 30 days, the TNERC stressed the need for proactive manpower planning.
The commission noted that the Kundah Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Project (4X125 MW) is slated for commissioning by November 2025, with the North Chennai Thermal Project Stage III, Udangudi Thermal Power Project Stage I (2X660 MW), and the Kundah project expected to begin commercial operations in 2025. The TNERC emphasized that adequate manpower, encompassing technical, non-technical, and administrative roles, should have been secured earlier to ensure a smooth transition from developers to TNPGCL, referencing the successful transitions at Tuticorin and Mettur Thermal Power Stations as examples.
The TNERC strongly recommended that TNPGCL adhere to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) norms for staffing and that the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Ltd complete necessary evacuation facilities ahead of commercial operations to avoid cost and time overruns. The timely completion of these projects is crucial for meeting the state’s rising electricity demand, especially during peak summer months.
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