NLC's Rs 312-cr wind power project to start by next year

The Coal Ministry has said state-owned Neyveli Lignite Corporation's (NLC) Rs 312 crore wind power project in Tamil Nadu will be commissioned by early next year.

"....50 MW Wind Farm Project......To go on steam by March, 31, 2012," Coal Ministry said in on its website.

The ministry, in its strategic plan documents for another five starting next financial year, said that the order for the wind farm project will be placed by June 30.

NLC had earlier said as part of its diversification programme to sustain and improve the growth rate, NLC was in the process of setting up a wind based power project in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu.

The tendering and evaluation of bids was in process for the said green power project, the company had said.

The Coal Ministry also said the mini ratna firm will also commission its 25-MW Solar Photo Voltaic Power project by the end of next year.

"To set up a 25 MW solar photo voltaic power project (to prepare feasibility report and seek approval by June, 30, 2011 to place order by December, 31, 2011 and to commission the project by December, 31, 2012," the Coal Ministry said.

In November last year, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal had said in a reply to the Rajya Sabha that Neyveli Lignite Corporation has proposed to set up a wind mill in Tamil Nadu, while 4,000 MW coal-based power plants in the states of Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.

All three projects were yet to be approved by respective state governments, the minister had said.

The wind power project would need an area of 100 acres and 4,000 MW power plants require as much as 2,000 acre of land, he added.