Tamil Nadu Planning to Bid Out 250 MW Floating Solar Projects

The department is looking to bid out for projects worth 100 MW, 100 MW and 50 MW at the Mettur Dam, Bhavanisagar Dam, and the Vaigai Dam respectively.

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (Tangedco) is planning to float bids for setting up floating solar plants on three dam reservoirs in the State.

Floating solar projects have been preferred in the present state of the market by investors with land acquirement and related costs not involved. The department is looking to bid out for projects worth 100 MW, 100 MW and 50 MW at the Mettur Dam, Bhavanisagar Dam, and the Vaigai Dam respectively.

“We have received proposals from Tangedco to set up 100MW capacity in Mettur dam, 100MW in Bhavanisagar dam and 50MW in Vaigai dam. All the three proposals are still at scrutiny stage for feasibility,” Additional Secretary, MNRE, Praveen Kumar said.

“In the near future, all tenders for renewable power beyond 100MW capacity will include storage too. Storage costs are coming down and since renewable power is infirm it will help the discom as well as individuals to store solar or wind power for later use,” the official said.

“There are several opportunities for wind power companies to invest in the state as India wants all the renewable power equipment to be manufactured within the country. As of now, we are importing not less than 85% of the equipment, mostly from China or other Southeast Asian countries,” he added.

State Energy Secretary Md Nasimuddin said the government will be releasing a solar energy policy in a week. “For encouraging people to set up solar panels on rooftops of residences, we will bring in more incentives such as cheap loans and other facilities in the solar energy policy,” he said.

Source: TNN