Latest news with #AneeshSekhar
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
12 firms file applications for small hydel projects, five under evaluation: TNGECL
CHENNAI: A couple of months after the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) invited applications to develop Small Hydel Projects (SHPs) in the state, the agency has so far received 12 proposals from private developers, officials said. The capacities of each of these SHPs, which can be set up across canal systems, rivers and streams without having to build any structures for storing the water, can range from 100 kilowatts (KW) to 10 megawatts (MW), with each unit in an SHP not exceeding 5 MW. TNGECL managing director Dr Aneesh Sekhar told TNIE that the government is encouraging private participation in SHPs to boost renewable energy production. 'Of the 12 proposals, five are currently under evaluation. However, no project has been finalised yet. Approvals will be granted after detailed evaluation and site inspections,' he said. While TNGECL has not completed any SHPs so far, a 20 MW project is nearing completion in Namakkal district. 'Most of the work is over and the plant will begin power generation soon,' Sekhar added. Tamil Nadu had released a policy for SHP late last year. 'Based on the policy, we are now processing applications. Private firms with access to water sources can apply to set up these plants,' another senior official said. He said the firms can generate power for their own use (captive use), sell it to third parties within the state, or supply to distribution companies to help meet the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets set by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC). While the RPO set for 2024-25 was 29%, Tamil Nadu managed only around 26 %. The state has an installed hydropower capacity of 2,321.90 MW, but SHPs have so far received limited focus. In contrast, neighbouring Karnataka is actively promoting such projects, the official added.
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation to ramp up solar power to meet 50K MW target
CHENNAI: In a significant move towards a greener future, the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) is planning to increase solar power generation and introduce Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to meet its Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) by 2030. TNGECL Managing Director Aneesh Sekhar told TNIE that Tamil Nadu currently has an installed solar power capacity of nearly 10,000 megawatts (MW). 'We have enough land to add about 12,000 MW more. However, even that will not be sufficient. Our target is to reach at least 50,000 MW of solar power capacity by 2030,' he said. However, land acquisition has emerged as a major hurdle. 'For every 1 MW of solar power plant, nearly three acres of land is needed. Tamil Nadu has very little wasteland left, as most areas have been converted for housing, farming or industrial use,' Sekhar explained. He also pointed out the limitations of wind power, which is not available throughout the year.
