CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu expects to generate an additional 2,000 MW in the current year which would make it a power surplus state, said minister for electricity Natham R Viswanathan here on Saturday.
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony organised by the National Confederation of Small Industry (NACOSI), Viswanathan said the power deficit was an inheritance from the previous government headed by the DMK, which has now been rectified. However, added the minister, “There is an 8- 10% increase in year-on-year demand.”
“To accommodate the demands of both small and large scale industries as well as domestic consumers, we are exploring various avenues for power generation, and hope to hit surplus in the near future,” he said, adding that the government was expecting to generate another 2,000 MW from various sources in this year, making Tamil Nadu a power surplus state.
Urging the small and medium scale entrepreneurs to invest beyond Chennai’s limits, Industries minister P Thangamani said small scale entrepreneurs must learn to thrive among corporate businesses, referring to the development in Ambattur Industrial Estate. “Presence of large scale companies have directly benefited small and mid level businesses in Ambattur,” he pointed out.
One of the top performers in the country, the state has been facing huge competition when it comes to attracting big name corporations because of the concessions offered by others. “Despite that, the Chief Minister has been successful in attracting over 30 large scale investments for the benefit of the people,” said Thangamani.
Addressing the entrepreneurs, rural industries minister P Mohan said the SMEs in the state employ nearly 6 crore people. “TN holds a 14.95 per cent share of these industries in the country. It is a profitable sector as these also account for nearly 45 per cent of nation’s total production and 40 per cent of gross exports,” he added.