PM Modi Inaugurates & Lays Foundation Stone for Solar Projects in Tamil Nadu

PM Modi has dedicated to the nation 709 MW solar projects and laid the foundation stone for a 5 MW solar power plant at VOC Port in Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25, 2021, dedicated to the nation 709 MW Solar Power Projects developed by NLC India in the state of Tamil Nadu. And laid the foundation stone for design, supply, installation and commissioning of a 5 MW grid-connected ground-based solar power plant at V.O. Chidambaranar Port.

The 709 MW projects which the Prime Minister has dedicated to the nation were completed by the state-owned mining and power generating company NLC India in 2019 and were assigned to it by state utility Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd (TANGEDCO). The firm had developed the project in stages, with the last stage completed in September 2019, when the firm had stated that with the completion of the last round of the 351 MW solar projects, the entire 709 MW solar power projects that were under implementation in Tamil Nadu for TANGEDCO had been fully completed. 

The PM said that the 709 MW solar power project is indigenously developed and the cost of this project is over Rs 3,000 crore.

Upgrading infrastructure at the VOC Port and giving a boost to port-led development. pic.twitter.com/2vXVSvvxyq

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2021

The 5 MW grid-connected ground-based solar power plant at V.O. Chidambaranar Port that the PM laid the foundation stone for is being developed by U Solar after it emerged successful in the tender bidding conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

As the Prime Minister launched various projects related to V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Thoothukudi, He said that Tamil Nadu has a glorious history of sea trade and port-led development. The projects launched will further strengthen the cargo handling capacity of the port and support the green port initiative. He noted that efficient ports contribute to India being Aatmnirbhar and a global hub for trade as well as logistics. PM Modi expressed happiness that VOC Port has taken up a grid-connected 5 MW ground-based solar power plant at a cost of Rs 20 crore and installation of a 140 KW rooftop solar project is in progress. Calling it an example of Urja Aatmnirbharta.

SECI had issued the tender for the 5 MW plant at the VOC port in July 2020. Suggesting that the port wants to implement green energy projects by way of setting up a 5 MW solar plant at the port.

The scope of work for U Solar will include the design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing and commissioning of the solar power plant at the port. The developer will also be required to provide comprehensive operation and maintenance services for the plant for a period of 10 years from the date of successful commissioning. The O&M responsibilities will include the supply and storage of all mandatory spare parts, consumables, repairs/ replacement of any defective equipment, etc.