Tamil Nadu government rejects Coimbatore Corporation's proposal for 20 MW solar plant at Vellalore dump yard
The Tamil Nadu government has rejected a proposal by the Coimbatore Corporation to set up a 20 MW solar power generation unit on 50 acres at the Vellalore dump yard.
According to the Corporation, it spends nearly ₹10 crore each month on electricity charges as it has over 50,000 streetlights and several water supply and sewage treatment facilities under its jurisdiction.
The Corporation currently operates three solar power plants: a 3.6 MW plant at Pullukadu established under the Smart Cities Mission at ₹17 crore, and two 1 MW plants at Ukkadam and Kavundampalayam, built at a combined cost of ₹5.5 crore. Power generated from these facilities is adjusted against the Corporation's electricity usage.
The first phase of biomining at Vellalore, completed in 2023 at ₹60 crore, resulted in the reclamation of 54 acres. The Corporation planned to establish a 20 MW solar power plant on this site and submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the State government last year.
Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran told The Hindu that the ₹150 crore project was to be funded through municipal bonds. The proposal, however, did not receive clearance from the State Finance Department.
The Commissioner added that the Corporation has submitted a revised proposal under a Union government scheme, with an estimated cost of ₹120 crore. 'This was an effort to put the site to productive use, rather than allowing it to return to being a dumping ground. We have begun planting trees on a 10-acre portion of the dump yard, and we hope the project receives approval,' he said.
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