Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd (Tangedco) will set up a 4,000 MW solar power park to meet the growing energy demand, Electricity Minister V. Senthilbalaji told the Assembly.
Making the announcement while moving the demands for grants for his department, he said Tangedco plans to set up solar power parks with battery storage system in all the districts in the state.
It is also proposing 2,000 MW worth of LNG-based power units. Under this programme, small units with capacity in the range of 18-20 MW will be established. The feedstock Regassified-LNG will be sourced from the IOC’s LNG terminal at Ennore. The power generated from these units is expected to come in handy to meet the shortfall when there would be absence of wind and solar power.
The State power distribution company mulls establishing a 500 MW pumped storage hydroelectric plant each in Kanyakumari and Theni. It will also conduct feasibility studies to build pumped storage units in 11 places across the State for a total capacity of 7,000 MW. “Also, the government will undertake steps to complete the 2,000 MW Sillahalla (Nilgiris District) pumped storage hydro power plant at the earliest,” said Senthilbalaji.
He also said steps will be taken to sign medium term contracts to buy 1,500 MW power at Rs 3.26/unit and also short term power purchase contracts with generators.
Senthilbalaji also announced plans to swap wind power with other states on advantageous terms, fixing smart meters in transformers to measure line losses at an outlay of Rs 1,270 crore, fixing smart meters for consumers, and preparing accounts as per Indian Accounting Standards and saving interest outgo of about Rs 300 crore per year to the Power Finance Corporation and the Rural Electrification Corporation.
