Tamil Nadu’s ambitious plan to tap solar energy to narrow the power deficit in will get a boost with the government set to finalise deals assuring 1,000 MW solar energy by the end of this month.
Addressing an international conference and Exposition on Renewable Energy 2015, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here on Thursday, Electricity Minister Natham R. Viswanthan said that already deals for 1,000 MW were on (including the proposed 700-MW solar plant by Adani Group).
Agreements for another 1,000 MW would be signed by July-end and by the end of this year the government expects to get 2,000 MW of solar power, he said.
The State had set a target of 3,000 MW of solar power generation by 2015. At present, the installed capacity is 149 MW.
Tamil Nadu was a pioneer in the new and renewable energy sector with an installed capacity of 8,482 MW, which accounted for 35 per cent of the sector in the country.
The State’s Energy secretary, Mr. Rajesh Lakhoni, suggested that every person who purchases a new air-conditioner buy 1KW of solar panel.
Explaining the statistics behind the idea, he said, “Tamil Nadu offers Rs. 20,000 subsidy per KW of solar roof top installation in addition to the 30 per cent Central subsidy. With an investment of about Rs. 60,000 on solar power, a household could save up to Rs. 10,000 per annum on power bill. It makes a lot of economic sense.”
CII suggestions
The CII gave seven suggestions to the industry to unleash the full potential of the sector like stricter enforcement ofRenewable energy Purchase Obligations across all States, either through amendment of Electricity Act or Indian Penal Code with penalty for non-compliance.
Extension of accelerated depreciation to all renewable energy systems, allocation of funds to the renewable energy projects from the National Clean Energy Fund and single window system for statutory and environmental clearances were the other recommendations.
It also advocated deemed industry status and deemed open access permission for renewable energy projects in all States and power evacuation and grid integration allowing wind power generators in Tamil Nadu to feed power into the grid.
“Simplification of land acquisition and conversion norms by providing deemed non-agricultural permission for land for renewable energy projects will also help this sector,” said Ramesh Kymal, Chairman, Renewable Energy Council, CII-Godrej Green Business Centre.
By this year end, government expects to get 2,000 MW of solar power: Minister
