Friday, December 13, 2013: While the country has some big plans with regard to solar power, the journey is not as smooth as was expected. Two state officials in Tamil Nadu have told ET that multiple legal challenges are hurting Tamil Nadu’s ambitious plan of adding 3,000 megawatt of solar power by 2015.
The state, which is one of the worst affected by power crises, is betting big on solar. In line with the need, an ambitious plan to add 3,000 megawatt by 2015 and 1,000 megawatt to be added every year starting 2013 was decided under CM Jayalalitha’s administration.
Inching towards the plan, the state floated a 1,000 megawatt tender end of last year, which was the single biggest tender. But it is facing a number of hurdles. “The 1,000 megawatt tender is delayed because it is hit by legal cases. We are confident of getting it cleared,” said Sudeep Jain, chairman and MD of the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency.
Starting 2013, Tamil Nadu’s solar policy mandates, many classes of commercial buildings and factories need to meet at least 3 per cent of their power requirements through solar. This has proved to be a controversial clause for industry, ET reported.
S Nagalsamy, who is the member of Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission, shared that some customers have gone to the court against solar purchase obligation. He added that there are concerns if the ambitious plans of 3,000 megawatt of solar power in three years along with the solar purchase obligation in two years are achievable.
