MNRE to launch new solar energy projects

Madurai: The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has come up with a new project in the use of solar energy that would attract investments on a big scale from the private sector, according to Mr Ajit K.Gupta, Adviser to MNRE.

The ‘Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power project’ implemented by MNRE involves establishing solar powered units and a nation-wide target of 50 MW of power generation has been set in the private sector. The Tamil Nadu Government has been quick to act on the proposal and evinced interest in establishing two units of 5 MW each. The project would create confidence in the new technology and on its commercial applications, he added.

He was on a visit to the Ministry’s Regional Test Centre at Madurai Kamaraj University here.

Use of biofuel

The Ministry is considering the use of biofuel to light up remote hamlets in the southern districts in association with the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA). According to Mr Gupta, biofuel could be extracted from jatropha. Around 100 hamlets are under consideration for the project.

The Forest Department is promoting the cultivation of jatropha in Ramanathapuram. The Madurai Kamaraj University, actively involved in the development of biofuel, could co-ordinate the agencies in this respect, he suggested.

Mr M.Vijayakumar, Deputy General Manager, TEDA, added that the Forest Department was already involved in similar programmes such as Village Energy Security.