TN government unveils plan to create 3000 MW solar power capacity in 3 years

Stung by criticism over the state government's passive support to the Kudankulam nuclear power project, the Jayalalithaa government in Tamil Nadu has announced a big boost to environment-friendly solar energy development programme in the state.

The `Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy 2012,' announced by chief minister J Jayalalithaa in the secretariat today, envisages creation of 3000 MW of solar power generation capacity in the state over the next three years.

The state government proposes addition of 1000 MW of solar power generation capacity each year for the next three years by creation of solar power generation facilities, the release said.

The new policy banks on the falling prices of solar panels juxtaposed with the growing cost of grid power in India.

The policy also involves large-scale power consumers into the initiative by mandating six per cent solar purchase obligation (SPO) on them.

The SPO to be administered by the Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd (TANGEDCO) will be applicable to all high tension (HT) consumers, including SEZs and IT parks, but low tension (LT) consumers like domestic consumers, powerlooms, cottage and tiny industries, agricultural consumers will be exempted from the mandate, the policy said.

Besides capacity creation, the policy aims at securing energy security and creating domestic production facilities for solar energy equipment.

The policy attempts to leverage 300 days of clear sunny days available annually to tap clean, renewable energy source to contribute to energy security and development of the state.