Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today launched a captive power project in 12 sugar mills in the state with a total capacity of 183 mw.
Launching the project through video conferencing here, he said 12 mills from the cooperative and public sector will start producing power from bagasse in 18 months. This would enable the state partly meet its growing electricity demands.
"A sum of Rs 1,125 crore has been allocated towards this purpose including modernisation of equipment in sugar mills," he said.
While 63 mw would be utilised by the sugar mills, the remaining 120 mw would be allotted for public consumption and this would allow the state meet its growing power requirements, he added.
The project will be implemented by the respective sugar mills in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, he said.