NLC India Limited has proposed to set up solar power plants at the cost of 2,170 crore with a total capacity of 500 Megawatt in various parts of Tamil Nadu. The company has floated tenders and received quotations from different firms for setting up of the plants with capacity not less than 50MW each. Power generated from the proposed solar plants will be fed to Tamil Nadu power generation and distribution corporation (Tangedco). The company has already signed a power purchase agreement with Tangedco. It has proposed to generate 83 crore units of power per annum through the proposed solar plants. Power generation will commence within 13 months from the date of work order given to the selected firms. NLC chairman and managing director S K Acharya said the company will adopt the new system of solar development operator mode to execute all projects. As per the new system, the selected firms have to identify and acquire necessary land, obtain permission from competent authorities, design, install and commission the plants and feed power to Tangedco. The firms have to operate and maintain the units for 15 years on contract under the new system, he said.
The company has proposed to establish 130MW (two 65MW units) solar power plant at a total cost of 700 crore at Neyveli following the successful commissioning of a pilot project of solar power plant with a capacity of 10MW at a cost of 75 crore. Bharat heavy electrical limited (Bhel) and Jackson Engineers Limited have been assigned the work to establish a unit each. More than 650 acres of land in the north and west side of Neyveli township has been allotted for the two projects so far, said Acharya. The company has commenced work to set up a 20MW solar power plant at Attam Bahar at South Andaman and a 30MW solar power plant at Kishori Nagar, North Andaman following a direction from the Union ministry of new and renewable energy. “The foundation stone was laid at Attam Bahar. Tendering work is underway. The plant will be installed with sufficient capacity of battery energy storage system to cater to the power needs of the island throughout the daytime and even in peak demand period. Also the preliminary work for solar power plant at Kishori Nagar has already been initiated,” said Acharya. In total, the company proposes to establish 4,000MW solar power plants at various parts of the country to generate solar power to the tune of one lakh megawatt by 2022.
Source:ETIE
