[Ambassador]

In a first of its kind initiative, the state government on Thursday announced that it would energise one-lakh streetlights with solar power in 1000 villages at a cost of Rs.248 crore.
In his budget speech, state finance minister O. Pannerselvam said that in this financial year, the government would energise 20,000 streetlights in 200 villages with solar power at an estimated cost of Rs.49.60 crore which includes Rs.11.20 crore of government of India subsidy and Rs.38.40 crore of state funds.

The finance minister said that the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) would take up the energisation of the proposed 60,000 green houses to be constructed by the Rural Development department with solar power. He said that the work would be taken at an approximate cost of `180 crore including the centre’s share of Rs.48.60 crore.

Mr. Pannerselvam said tha as a part of the government’s commitment towards green energy, it is proposed to establish initially a 50 MW solar park in Public Private Partnership mode through competitive bidding process. “It will be implemented by TEDA,” he said.

Stating that the state would also explore further addition to the existing wind energy capacity including offshore wind energy generation, he said that the state government would also facilitate investment in wind energy generation and strengthen infrastructure for evacuation of power into the grid.

Tamil Nadu is a leading State in the generation of renewable energy particularly wind energy with a total installed capacity of 6007 MW.