Govt to set up three 1000 MW power projects: Minister

Chennai, July 14: The Tamil Nadu government was making efforts to set up three 1,000 MW power projects at North Chennai, Tuticorin and Jayamkondam to increase power generation in the state, Power Minister Arcot N Veerasamy announced today.

These projects would be commissioned during the 11th plan period, he said, while inaugurating 'Green power-2006,' a nationl conference on Renewable energy here.

While the North Chennai project would be a joint venture between National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), the one at Tuticorin would be under joint venture between Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) and TNEB. The Jayamkondam project would be undertaken by the NLC, he added.

Mr Veerasamy said the TNEB was also planning to set up additional power generating units each of 500 MW capacity in the existing thermal power stations at Mettur and North Chennai.

Stating that Tamil Nadu, being in the southern tip of India, provides great opportunity for generation of electricity through wind energy and non-conventional energy sources, the Minister invited non-conventional energy entrepreneurs to set up power projects in the state on wind, sugar, solid waste, biomass and solar.

Setting up of these power plants would assist the government's efforts to maintain uninterrupted power supply to the consumers, he said, adding ''On behalf of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, I invite all the non-conventional energy entrepreneurs to set up power projects in the state.''

Mr Veerasamy said several places in the state were blessed with conducive natural metrological and topographical setting to get desired level of wind speed for power generation. With three passes -- Aralvoimozhi, Shencottah and Palghat -- on the Western Ghat influence heavy windflow because of the tunneling effect during Southwest monsoon, the total wind potential was asessed at 4500 MW in the state.

He said by the end of 2006-07 wind farms to the tune of 500 MW would be commissioned by the private sector, generating 3500 MW of power from the grid every year.

Assuring all help to cooperative and private sectors for setting up cogeneration projects, he said cogeneration plants with a total capacity of 314.6 MW have been commissioned. Permission had been given to three sugar mills to generate 53 MW.

''In the next three years, cogeneration projects to the tune of 71 mw will be added,'' he said.

UNI