A proposal aimed at strengthening the power transmission network at a cost of about Rs.3,573 crore has been sent by the State government to the Union Ministry of Economic Affairs for seeking financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
K. Shanmugam, Principal Secretary (Finance), told reporters that the proposal had been prepared by Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (TANGEDCO).
Earlier, in the Assembly, Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam said that during the current financial year, an all-time high assistance of Rs.7,913.35 crore had been provided for the TANGEDCO. “To keep our promise, we will continue to support TANGEDCO with share capital for new projects.” A sum of Rs.3,068.78 crore had been provided as subsidy support to TANGEDCO in the Budget Estimates for 2012-2013.
As a major initiative to promote power savings, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) would be provided free to 14.62 lakh huts to replace incandescent lights at a cost of Rs.14.62 crore.
“This is expected to result in a saving of 45 megawatt (MW) of power.”
The State government would initiate action to implement the Energy Conservation Building Code in commercial buildings and certain categories of major building complexes based on their energy consumption. At 30 per cent energy savings, this would have the potential to save around 3 MW per 10 lakh square feet area.
On the 1,600 MW super critical thermal power project at Udangudi, he said the joint venture project with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited did not take off even after four years. Its total cost was Rs.8,000 crore.
A sum of Rs.1,500 crore had been provided for 2012-2013 as share capital support for new projects.
Initiatives were being taken to strengthen the transmission infrastructure for evacuation of wind energy and financial assistance had been sought from the Government of India. Measures such as provision of solar lights to houses constructed under the Chief Minister's Solar Powered Green Houses scheme and the scheme for the provision of street lights with solar power would be continued. Next year too, another 60,000 green houses would be provided with solar lights at a cost of Rs.180 crore and 20,000 more street lights would be energised with solar power at a cost of Rs.50 crore.
“Promotion of solar energy parks, coastal and offshore wind energy farms and biomass thermal projects will be supported by this government as long term measures to meet our energy needs,” Mr. Panneerselvam said.
