 "TN to ink pact for 2,000 Mw solar power")
The state is expected to announce procurement of 1,000-Mw solar power this month, including 700-Mw from the Adani Group's upcoming operations in the state.
In his address at the 14th Green Power International Conference on renewable energy, Natham R Viswanathan, minister of electricity, non-conventional energy development, said the Tamil Nadu Solar Policy 2012 had set a target to purchase around 1,000-Mw solar power every year.
"This was delayed due to some court issues, which have now been cleared, and we will go ahead with our plan," the minister said.
To a question on the status of MoU with the Adani Group, which is planning to invest around Rs 5,000 crore to set up a solar park in Tamil Nadu, the minister said the group had approached the chief minister for an appointment, and he expects the signing to happen soon.
The group is planning to establish 700-Mw solar power generation capacity in the state. The new park is coming at Ramanathapuram district in south Tamil Nadu.
The minister said renewable energy, especially solar, was the way forward for the state and added Tamil Nadu wanted to position its standing as the leading market for solar power. The state is a leading player in wind energy generation.
He claimed Tamil Nadu was not witnessing power deficit. "This was the first summer, which went without any power cut," Viswanathan said, adding the peak demand had moved higher to 14 per cent now, as against around six per cent six years before.
The per capita consumption of power in the state is the highest in the country at 1,017 units, when compared with the national average of around 850 units.
The state accounts for 35 per cent of the country's installed wind capacity. Tamil Nadu's total installed renewable energy capacity is 8,482-Mw, of which, wind energy accounts for 7,500-Mw and solar 143.9 Mw.
Rajesh Lakhoni, secretary, Tamil Nadu, said the state was offering Rs 20,000 as subsidy to install one unit of rooftop solar panel. In addition, the Union Ministry of Renewable Energy (MNRE's) is providing 30 per cent subsidy.