Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) will install a 20 MW capacity of wind-solar hybrid plant which will also contain a battery energy storage system (BESS) for the energy requirements of Metro services. This is in partnership with Chennai Metro Rail Ltd, and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
Tamil Nadu Renewable Energy Park Ltd (TREP), a subsidiary company will carry out the work of generation and aggregation of renewable energy (RE). The company will also supply to attract customers through this joint venture.
As per a TEDA senior official, the project is to show the technical feasibility of the battery storage system for renewable energy (RE).
The official said, “Energy generated through the wind-solar hybrid plant would be backed up in the batteries and will be used by the Metro during evening peak hours. Though the battery-backed solar plants are used on a small scale, this will be the first-of-its-kind in the megawatt-scale project in the state.”
A 75-acre land in Kayathar, Thoothukudi is owned by TEDA would contribute towards equity and the SECI and CMRL will cover the cost of the project according to the agreement.
The power generated from this project will be sold to CMRL at the price agreed in the agreement and the profit earned will be divided between the partners into the agreed terms.
CMRL had planned 2 years ago to procure RE energy to meet its 80% energy need with RE power with a cost cap of Rs. 3.5/unit. Currently, Tangedco is supplying CMRL the energy at Rs 6.35 per unit for the Railway traction consumption. Tangedco is charging Rs 8 per unit for other loads like ATM kiosks, stalls, and hotels in the Metro premises.
“When energy could be procured at a cheaper rate, it makes sense to lose the opportunity. Moreover, CMRL is facing financial burden considering the higher tariff paid by it as against Rs 3 per unit envisaged during the detailed project report based on which load schedule was worked out,” CMRL sources said.
