The Tamil Nadu government today announced a 4,000 MW thermal power project in Ramanthapuram at a cost of Rs 24,000 crore besides plans to augment the power transmission infrastructure in the state.

Discussion on to start 1,000-MW plant, which will be commissioned in phases

Likely to attract over Rs 7,000-crore investment

TNERC has denied permission to TANGEDCO to sign power purchase agreement

The country’s first solar energy park under the public-private partnership mode launched at Kavanoor near here with much fanfare last year, has hit the road block as the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has denied permission to TANGEDCO to sign power purchase agreement (PPA).

The government’s endeavour to make the State a world leader in solar energy by generating 3000 MW by 2015 received a shot in the arm with the laying of a foundation stone for the first 100 MW solar

Investments of Rs. 1,240 crore are likely

Southern districts will take the lion’s share of new solar power plants to be set up under the State’s Solar Energy Policy. Of the plants approved for 209 megawatt (MW), the south will have 155 MW, of which Ramanathapuram district alone accounts for 97 MW, Tuticorin 33, Sivaganga 17 and Virudhunagar 8.

The district administration, Green Kalam and Mohamed Sathak Trust launched a mega campaign to plant one lakh saplings, with Collector K. Nanthakumar planting the first sapling at the Collectorate complex here on Monday.

Hundreds of school students also planted saplings at 50 designated sites across the district. Actor Vivekh, founder of Green Kalam, Deputy Inspector General of Police M. Ramasubramani, Superintendent of Police N. M. Mylvahanan and S.M. Hamid Abdul Quadir, Chairman of Mohamed Sathak College, were present when the Collector launched the event.

Minister for Handlooms and Textiles S. Sundararaj, participating in a function at Ramanathapuram on Saturday, said that the district would soon become a hub for solar energy generation.