RAMANATHAPURAM
The 10 MW ‘TIDEL-Solar Park’ at Mariyur in the district, jointly established by Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) and Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT), is all set for inauguration next month, according to Minister for Industries M.C. Sampath.
In a brief chat with reporters on Thursday, the Minister said he inspected the site near Valinokkam to find out whether Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami could inaugurate the park, TIDCO’s first solar park in the State, on September 15. The Minister inspected the site with Collector S. Natarajan and Tidel Park Managing Director B. Elangovan.
Mumbai-based Marine Electricals, the executing agency, had already exceeded the project period and the company had promised to complete the remaining work as early as possible. The solar park was being established at a cost of ₹ 63.50 crore on 50 acres of land, he said.
Mr. Sampath said TIDCO had acquired 268 acres for generation of 50 MW of power through various combinations of renewable energy sources like solar, biomass and wind. “Very soon, we will start biomass and wind energy generation,” he said.
Answering a question, the Minister said the otherwise unused vast coastline in the State could be utilised for solar power generation.
The whole idea of setting up renewable energy power parks was to enable TIDCO to meet the power requirements of TIDEL and TICEL parks in the State, he said and hoped that the solar park would attract industrial establishments in the area.
Sriram Krishnamurthy, vice-president (renewable), Marine Electricals, who was present with the Minister, said the company had completed 80% of the installation work of the ‘turn-key’ project and would complete the remaining works by September-end.
To a question, the Minister said the wage arrears due for the workers of Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation (TNSC) in Valinokkam would be settled soon after about ₹ 2 crore outstanding amount was collected. He would ensure that workers in salt panes were issued goggles, boots and hand gloves.