Coming up, 100 MW solar energy park at Paramakudi

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday presided over the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up a solar energy park in Paramakudi taluk of Ramanathapuram district.

The MoU signed between Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) and Raasi Green Earth energy Pvt Ltd, envisions the setting up of the solar energy plant in 12 months’ time.

The MoU for the park, which is to be developed on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, said it would have an installed power generation capacity of 100 MW. A press release from the government said the project is the first of its kind in India.

The park will come up on a 500-acre site, and is expected to cost Rs 920 crore. The AIADMK government has announced that it would take steps, through TIDCO, to develop the park to make it attractive for investors to set up more such projects. The 100 MW park would create 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, a government statement said.

“I assure you of the total cooperation of the State Government. I am happy to know that you plan to expand the capacity to 1,000 MW and I hope that this will prove to be a launching platform for many more such Solar Power Projects to be established in Tamil Nadu,” said Jayalalithaa, after the MoU was signed.

Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, Electricity Minister Natham R Vishwanathan, Industries Minister P Thangamani, Chief Secretary Debendranath Sarangi, Energy Secretary Rajesh Lakhoni, Industries Secretary N S Palaniappan and other officials and industry representatives were among those present at the event.