CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu will be adding 1,500 MW of solar power to its capacity after the State signed a Memorandum of Understanding with solar firms to set up 16 solar parks at a cost of Rs 9,000 crore.
This would enhance the capacity of solar power in the State to 3,247 MW. Currently, the State is producing 1,747 MW of solar power. It is learnt another 700 MW of solar power is in the pipeline. Tangedco sources said the plan is to enhance the capacity of solar power to 5000 MW by 2021.
A State electricity board official told Express that of the 16 solar companies, four signed an MoU with the electricity board on Tuesday in the presence of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, State power minister P Thangamani, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan and electricity board chairman M Saikumar.
The MoU is being signed after the State floated a mega tender to build 1,500 MW solar parks. The State electricity board said power will be procured at a cost of Rs 3.47 per unit.
All the 16 firms have agreed to that procurement cost. The MoU was signed with Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Bengaluru-based Raasi Green Earth Energy, Kolkata based NVR Energy Private Ltd and Narbheram Vishram.
Neyveli Lignite Corporation has signed an MoU to set up a solar park at Tirunelveli to generate 709 MW. Similarly, Raasi Green Earth Energy will generate 100 MW of solar power in Ramnad. The other two Kolkata based energy firms will also be generating 100 MW of solar power each.
The solar parks will start generating power within the next 18 months, a State electricity board official said. It was in January-February that Tangedco conducted auction for 500 MW of solar park. The lowest tariff then was Rs 4.40 per unit. The tariff of solar power, which was as high as Rs 10.95-12.76 per unit in 2010-11 has dived due to the plunging prices of solar panels.
Source: newindianexpress
