full capacity was delayed further due to problems with coal-handling facilities. Independent works on phase II began in 2010. The first, second and third units were synchronised with the grid on 9 March 2012, 26 February 2013 and 28 February 2014, respectively. The total cost of the project without IDC was 91,930 million. The plant commenced its commercial operation on 29 November 2012, with the operation of its first unit. The second unit commenced its commercial operations on 25 August 2013, while that of the third unit was commenced on 28 February 2014. Cost and Finance The cost of phase I was 54 billion ($1.15 billion) and that of phase II was 30 billion ($639 million). The debt equity ratio of the project is 7:3. The Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) sanctioned 38 billion ($809 million) to meet the entire debt portion of the project. REC advanced a loan of 21 billion ($447 million) for the second phase in April 2010. Technology and operations The boiler systems at the plant consists of single- or two-pass type, with front/rear/side mill layout, which can have single/bi-drum arrangement with natural or controlled circulation. There is constant or sliding pressure operation, and hot or cold primary air systems. Steam turbine operates at a speeds of 3,000 rpm. The main steam is at at . Steam reheat is at and . The back pressure is between . The plant has six induced draft cooling towers (IDCTs), which have a capacity of with nine cells of each. The IDCTs use seawater, which is drawn from the intake channel of North Chennai Thermal Power Station, and fresh water requirement is met from a desalination plant. The plant has adopted closed cycle re-circulating type cooling water system for its operations. The coal conveyor system in the plant includes a -long pipe conveyor with a capacity of , which is the world's largest pipe conveyor. The plant requires of coal per day. Domestic coalfields supply 53 percent of the need, and the remainder through coal imports. Installed capacity Following is the unit-wise capacity of the plant. The share of Tamil Nadu would be from each of the three units in the plant. Environmental Impact The Vallur Thermal Power Station is environmentally friendly & non-polluting plant. See also List of power stations in India References External links Vallur Thermal Power Project on TANGEDCO website Page in Global Energy Observatory Coal-fired power