TN power sector to get Rs 91,000 cr investment

The Tamil Nadu government today said that private power developers would invest around Rs 91,000 crore in various power projects in the state.

To support these investments, the government was in the process of implementing a restructured accelerated power development reforms programme, with an outlay of around Rs 4,000 crore. The programme is expected to strengthen the power distribution in the state.

State deputy chief minister M K Stalin said that in the next 3-5 years private companies would set up power plants, that would generate 18,140 MW. The total investment in these projects would be around Rs 91,000 crore, he said.

At present, per capital consumption of electricity in the state is 1080 units, against the national average of 733 units and the national target for the 11th Five year plan of 1000 units, said Stalin.

He noted, Tamil Nadu villages are 100 per cent electrified in the year 1992 itself and has established a number of commercial wind power projects. However, recently the State has been experiencing some shortage of power.

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commssion has also imposed the renewable power purchase obligations (RPO) and a 'conducive' tariff policy. He urged the industry to consider similar RPO targets.

Currently the state has capacity to produce 5,400 MW of power through wind energy and has additional potential to produce 5530 MW through wind, 800 MW using bagasse.

“The state will add an additional 183 MW bagasse-based capacity with an investment of around Rs 1,126 crore. Further seven developers from Tamil Nadu have been shortlisted by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, to establish solar power plants with a total capacity of seven MW