Chennai: Adani Power, the largest private thermal power producer in the country, is to establish a 740 MW solar photovoltaic plant in Kamuthi in Ramanathapuram district. Government sources said Adani will sign a power purchase agreement with Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation this week. The private power generator had proposed to set up a 1,000 MW solar plant, but has downgraded the project capacity as it could not find a single large tract of land for the project. Five acres of land is required to establish a mega watt of solar plant.
“The company was not able to find 5,000 acres of land in one area for the establishing 1,000 MW solar project. So they are goings to set up a 740 MW solar plant,” an official explained.
The company’s spokesperson declined to comment. According to Tangedco sources, the state had signed PPAs with 20 companies for a capacity of 370 MW so far.
“We are targeting to sign PPAs for a quantum of about 1000 MW for this year with the present solar tariff of Rs 7.01 per unit,” sources said, adding that the utility had cleared application of 200 companies for a quantum of up to 3,000 MW after conducting the basic load flow study. With solar power producers opting for Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin districts which had highest solar radiation in the State, Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation had begun work on establishing a 400 kv substation in Kamuthi and 230 kv SS in Tiruchuli in Virudhunagar district.
“We are hoping to commission the 230 KV substation by December this year,” sources said, adding that tenders had been floated for the 400 kv substation.“We will make ready all the solar power evacuation facility before the power projects reaches commissioning stage,” the official said.
