In a statement, A.S. Shankarapandian, General Secretary of Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI), stated as follows:
On 31.8.26, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister announced in the Legislative Assembly that the five existing 210 MW thermal power plant units in Thoothukudi would be replaced by two new 800 MW thermal power units at a cost of Rs. 20,800 crore. This announcement is deeply shocking. The use of fossil fuels ranks first among human activities that intensify climate change. This is why countries around the world are making efforts to move away from coal use in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
People in Tamil Nadu are facing various impacts of climate change. Air pollution is already being caused by various industries operating in Thoothukudi. The existing thermal power plant emits a significant quantity of sulphur dioxide. As a result, air quality continues to remain poor and causes various impacts. Several tonnes of ash from the power plant are discharged into the sea every day. This has reduced the depth of the sea, depleted fish resources and affected the livelihoods of fishers.
As this ash contains heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium and lead, marine organisms in the Gulf of Mannar are severely affected. The area has sensitive marine ecosystems including coral reefs, seagrass and turtles. Seawater used for cooling the plant is heated and discharged back into the sea, causing severe damage to marine life. With impacts already arising from the Udangudi and Thoothukudi thermal power plants, implementing another such project in the same region would only increase the risks and impacts.
After the Sterlite plant, which caused environmental pollution, was closed following the killing of 13 people, residents of the area found relief. In this situation, we oppose this project, which would again create risks to the environment and health and prevent people from breathing freely. When people are already facing various hardships due to the existing thermal power plant operating in violation of regulations, attempts to implement similar projects again would cause major environmental harm and lay the foundation for serious risks and impacts.
Tamil Nadu has abundant wind and solar energy resources. Increasing renewable energy can be the long-term solution. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam election manifesto has announced that Rs. 3,000 crore would be allocated as a climate budget to make Tamil Nadu excel in combating climate change and that a target would be set for 50% of Tamil Nadu’s consumption to come from renewable resources by 2031. Attempts to implement projects contrary to this should be stopped. Therefore, the announced project should be abandoned, and closing the existing thermal power plants would also provide a solution to environmental harm.
Head Office,
Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI).
