‘TNEB will get draft power purchase pacts cleared’

The State electricity regulator is ‘broadly on board’ regarding the solar energy policy and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board’s plans to enter into long-term power purchase agreement with potential solar power generators, according to K. Gnanadesikan, Chairman and Managing Director, TNEB.

Addressing potential bidders for the 1,000 MW of solar power that the utility hopes to tie up early in 2013, he said the State Government’s solar policy has been submitted to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission, which has floated a consultation paper for feedback by December 28.

“Leave it to the TNEB to get the draft Power Purchase Agreement cleared,” Gnanadesikan said responding to a question on the need for an approved PPA document for bank finance. The board “does not anticipate any difficulty,” he said.

Over 200 potential bidders had registered for the pre-bid meeting conducted by TNEB today.

This follows the bid called by the board for supply of over 1,000 MW of solar power generation within the next one year. He said the State Government is keen on getting the generation capacity in place on time.

The board officials said that other than in Tirunelveli district, where evacuation capacities were stretched to capacity because of wind power generation, thermal plants and hydel projects, evacuation capacities have been identified in all districts.

TNEB gives “solid assurance” on enabling adequate transmission infrastructure, Gnanadesikan said.

It was up to the bidders to meet the January 4 deadline and qualify for the norms which had been kept simple. The draft agreement would be put online within a couple of days, he said.

> balaji.ar@thehindu.co.in

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