The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Plan to import new technologies to cut solar energy cost: Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Plan to import new technologies to cut solar energy cost: Minister

Special Correspondent

To reduce from Rs.16 crore to Rs. 6 crore a megawatt

New technology would help cut production costs
Tariffs of power from wind energy to go up

— Photo: K. Pichumani

RELEASING THE HANDOUT: Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy releasing the Global War(N)ming handbook which is being received by Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarsanam at a function in Chennai on Monday. R.Satapathy, Principal Secretary, Energy Department is in the picture.

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency plans to import new technology in an effort to cut the cost of solar energy from the current Rs. 16 crore a megawatt to a more affordable Rs. 6 crore a megawatt.

Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy said these new technologies would cut production costs and would be installed at the new special economic zone for manufacturing and testing renewable energy equipment which is coming up on a 675 acre site in Kancheepuram district.

Speaking on the occasion of the Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Day, Mr. Veerasamy pointed out that if the price of solar energy could be brought down in this way, then India would not have to depend on imported fuels and disappearing resources like coal and oil.

Already, the Tamil Nadu Government had taken steps to install solar-powered water heaters in all hotels and in the homes of Ministers. In fact, tenders to install this technology in government-owned buildings such as VVIP quarters were issued earlier this month. In an effort to encourage wind energy, the Government has also agreed to raise the tariffs of power from this source.

In response to a representation from wind turbine operators, the regulatory commission has agreed to raise the tariff from Rs. 2.20 a unit to Rs 2.75 a unit for turbines installed before April 1 and Rs. 2.90 a unit for those installed after that date, the Minister said.

Apart from technological developments, it was also important to encourage energy conservation habits, Mr. Veerasamy said, pointing out that simple habits could save a lot of energy and money.

Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarsanam said school and college students could play an important role in spreading awareness about the need for conservation and the importance of renewable energy. He presented prizes to students who participated in the State-wide oratorical, essay-writing and drawing competitions organised by TEDA to promote awareness about renewable energy.

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