Tamil Nadu to Add 20,000MW Solar Power by 2030

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The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) plans to spend about Rs 70,000 crore across Tamil Nadu to install 20,000 megawatt (MW) capacity of solar power plants by 2030. The DISCOM has come out with a tender inviting consultants for the project.

A solar plant with a capacity of 1,000MW will be built by the end of 2022. The rest of the solar plants will come up in the next eight years. The discom has gone with an estimate of Rs 3.5crore per MW towards  setting up these solar power plants. Besides that, it hopes to be able to identify the approx. 100,000 acres of land it will need for these planned new capacity.

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has already directed all the district collectors to identify land parcels for the upcoming installations. By 2030, all 20,000 MW of solar power projects will be complete and commissioned.

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It has been reported that the consultant is expected to be in place by March 20 and the company selected will start the work by the beginning of April 2022. The key job of the consultant will be to analyse climate of Tamil Nadu, availability of raw materials and cost. Based on these analysis, it will recommend ideal spots in the state for installing solar power plants.

The move is motivated by the objective of the state to increase its renewable power, reduce purchase from private companies and cut short Tamil Nadu’s carbon footprint.

Officials hold that Tamil Nadu has a present installed power capacity of 37,715 MW. But only 15,250 MW is derived through renewable sources. Tangedco owns only small plants installed on rooftops and is procuring solar power at a cost of Rs 7.01 a unit, too high by present standards. The state has to purchase power from private entities which causes huge financial losses to the state exchequer as financial burden is increased.

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A week ago, Chief Minister MK Stalin had inaugurated India’s largest floating solar power plant situated in SPIC factory premises in Tuticorin. The solar panels cover an area of 48 acres capable to generate 42 million units of power every year. Stalin said, “The government of Tamil Nadu is focused on environmentally sustainable projects. The establishment of a similar facility in the existing dams and water reservoirs in the state would lead to the generation of more renewable power as well as conserving water and minimising the scarce agriculture land being used for establishing solar power generating facility”.

While the move by Tamil Nadu, one of India’s most industrialised states is welcome, it might be time for the state to consider an upgrade on key assumptions. Land needed per MW should probably be much lower than 5 acres, considering the gains in efficiency in the past couple of years. A strong rooftop solar policy will also help mitigate requirements, as well as move the numbers along faster.

The state also has a coastline that should open up further opportunities in wind power, both onshore and offshore. Those need to be explored more strongly too.