CHENNAI : In a bid to become self-sufficient in energy generation and to give a push to the renewable energy sector, Tamil Nadu government has directed all district collectors to identify lands suitable for building solar parks.
District collectors are already engaged in identifying suitable sites in areas other than corporations and municipalities, said sources. “Installation of solar energy power stations would help reduce dependency on high-cost power purchase from private power producers. The plan is to set up 20,000MW of solar energy power stations and 10,000MW battery storage systems over 10 years. It will help that state supply uninterrupted power to consumers,” electricity minister Senthil Balaji told TOI.
In the first phase, the government is planning to establish solar energy power stations of 4,000MW and 2,000MW of battery storage system. Tamil Nadu’s existing installed capacity of solar power generation is 4,561MW.
Each district collector has been told to identify land to an extent of 20 to 200 acres suitable for setting up 5MW to 50MW solar parks in one or more locations. Even some government departments like Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments and Salt Corporation are being roped in to implement the project.
Balaji said the capital investment for setting up solar parks would primarily be made by the government. The private solar power generators would continue to be encouraged. Private solar power generators sell power to Tangedco at Rs 3.30 per unit…Read More…
Source : PTI
