 "Tamil Nadu to set up green villages")
Speaking on the sidelines of Green Power 2016, organised by CII in Chennai, Jagmohan Singh Raju, chairman and managing director, Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) said: "We have already initiated the process. We are looking at what can be linked to green energy; for example, agriculture, street lights, housing, appliances - something like solar television sets."
The conceptualisation process is under way and is expected to be ready in about a month's time.
TEDA will undertake a demo project first to explore the feasibility and utility of the project, post which the project would be replicated either through the government or in partnership with stakeholders.
Initially, the project could be implemented in tribal and remote areas and would then be expanded to other regions, said Raju.
P Thangamani, Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise, said that Tamil Nadu has developed a vision to become a global leader in renewable energy. With several states facing severe energy shortage, Tamil Nadu is one of the few states with surplus power. He was speaking at the 15th edition of CII — Green Power 2016.
Thangamani said that in the next three years, around 3,000 MW of power will be produced through solar rooftops.
This would considerably reduce energy demand from coal-powered thermal plants and reduce carbon emissions. This initiative would also power 3 lakh households, aiding rural electrification project of Tamil Nadu.
Raju added the Tamil Nadu government will facilitate business-friendly polices to promote technology in a big way in the renewable energy sector with inputs from the industry. Through its solar policy of 2012, the state government has been promoting power generation by both the large investors and small households. Tamil Nadu is a welfare state which promotes "equity in growth and inclusiveness in development''.
TEDA would also be focusing on skill development and create initially a 'Green Army' of 5,000 technicians in different parts of the state.
