The Tamil Nadu Government has proposed a series of power generation and related infrastructure development projects worth around Rs 20,000 crore, including a Rs 7,000-crore underground hydel power station in Nilgiris district. The 2,000-MW underground hydel power station at Sillahalla in Nilgiris will take 8-10 years for completion and the work will be taken up in two phases, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said in the Assembly today. The efforts are aimed at making the State a power surplus one, she said in a suo motu statement in the Assembly. Sub-stations Jayalalithaa also announced setting up of 56 sub-stations in different parts of the State ranging between 33 kv and 400 kv at an estimated cost of Rs 8,000 crore. While a series of projects were nearing completion in the coming days, the Government would also go in for long-term power purchase of 1,000 MW for 15 years on a ‘Case-I’ bidding basis starting this October. The Chief Minister said that electricity-related infrastructure will also be strengthened and a Rs 5,000-crore scheme has been prepared with Japanese assistance. Investment subsidy The Chief Minister also allotted Rs 500 crore towards procuring 20,000 new transformers and announced an investment subsidy of Rs 20,000 for domestic consumers opting for solar power in their homes. She said 10,000 persons will be benefited in the first phase of the initiative. High Tension and Low Tension power transmission lines to the tune of 15,000 km will be established at an estimated cost of Rs 850 crore, she said, adding that 11 lakh new domestic, industrial and agricultural power connections would be given this year.