Chennai, Dec 1 (IANS): Private power producer Coastal Energen hopes to start commercial generation at its first 600 MW unit in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin soon while the second 600 MW unit is expected to be connected to the grid in six months time, said a top company official.

"We hope to start commercial generation at our first unit in couple of months time. The unit was connected to the grid in September this year. Currently the generation is over 400 MW," said Ahmed A.R. Buhari, founder president and CEO.

Speaking to reporters on the margins of a company function, Buhari said the second unit is expected to be synchronised with the grid in six months time.

Coastal Energen is setting up 1,200 MW coal fired power plant in Tuticorin, around 600 km from here.

The company has signed power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) to supply power at Rs.4.91 per unit.

According to Buhari, the coal is imported to Tuticorin port and from there it is transported to the plant by trucks.