NLC commissions 100 MW solar plant in Tamil Nadu

After the commissioning of a 63 MW capacity in July, NLC India— formerly the Neyveli Lignite Corporation—has commenced commercial operation of a 100 MW solar power plant in Tamil Nadu. The project—located at Maranthai and Pudur Villages in Tirunelveli District—is part of 709 MW solar power projects awarded by state utility Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation.

With this, the state-owned power generator commissioned 163 MW of solar power during the quarter ended June 30, taking its renewable footprint to 857.56 MW. Renewable power generation during the quarter was 291.89 million units as against 116.53 million units in the corresponding period of previous year.

Overall, the company is operating thermal power plants with an aggregate capacity of 3140 MW, wind power of 51 MW and solar power plants of 806.56 MW, thus aggregating to a total installed capacity of 3992.56 MW.

Earlier this year, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Tamil Nadu to set up 1 GW of solar projects in the state.

Under the agreement, Tamil Nadu will provide facilitation and support to NLC India in the form of infrastructure for setting up the projects.

NLC has also lined up projects including wind and solar plants across the nation. It wants to increase its installed solar capacity to 4 GW by the 2022 financial year. Of that figure, NLC plans to implement 2,651 MW of solar in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, with commercial date of operation projected as March 2022.