Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Remote villages in hilly terrain likely to get power supply

R. Sairam

MADURAI: For those remote villages and hamlets that are buried deep inside forests in hilly terrain and remain untouched by electricity thus far, help is on the way.

The State Government has proposed to introduce ‘Micro Water Turbine’ in five places, which will generate power from waterfalls.

Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) has asked District Rural Development Agency of respective districts to identify suitable locations in the State.

Says the Deputy General Manager of TEDA, Madurai Region, S.M. Vijayakumar, “This project will be put in place in locations where there is a continuous flow of water round the year with high elevation. Power will be generated from the speed with which water comes down and impinging of water.”

A sight in Theni district, located at a height of around 3,500 feet, has already been inspected. Locations at Kodaikanal in Dindigul district, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts are under consideration. Locations in Udhagamandalam are also being explored.

The electricity generated from micro water turbines will be used to power compact fluorescent lamps in houses of hamlets in the vicinity.

The sites proposed by TEDA will be examined at a later stage by technical personnel, who will carry out feasibility studies.

“This time-bound pilot project, if successful, will be taken up on a larger scale, says Mr. Vijayakumar.

The State Government has sanctioned Rs. 10 lakh for installing the equipment, each of which costs Rs. 2 lakh, excluding civil works. The Micro Water Turbine has a capacity of 5 kilowatt.

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