In the bustling city of New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to digitally initiate the groundwork for a 300 MW solar energy facility in Rajasthan today, as communicated by an official statement from the Ministry of Coal.
This substantial venture commands an investment exceeding Rs 1,756 crore, strategically dedicated to ensuring an economically viable energy supply for governmental bodies. NLC India Limited, a distinguished Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Coal, is orchestrating this power endeavor in Barsingsar, situated in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, as an integral part of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy’s CPSE Scheme.
The innovative technological backbone of this initiative incorporates cutting-edge elements, such as high-efficiency bifacial modules exclusively manufactured within the borders of India. This solar venture impeccably aligns with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Modi. The electricity harnessed will traverse through the pre-existing power transmission lines of Barsingsar Thermal Power Station, with the goal of generating approximately 750 million units of environmentally friendly power annually, thereby mitigating carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 18,000 million metric tonnes throughout its operational lifespan.
The contractual agreement for power utilization has been formally solidified with Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited at a competitive tariff rate of Rs 2.52 per unit, effective for the ensuing 25 years, according to the official release. The anticipated operational commencement date for the project is pegged for September 2024, presenting the potential to indirectly create gainful employment for around 600 individuals during the project phase and a further 100 personnel during the subsequent operations and maintenance phase, as emphasized in the official statement.
Expanding on these developments, the statement emphasizes, “Moreover, this endeavor will empower Rajasthan to meet its renewable purchase obligations while actively contributing to the nation’s overarching mission of attaining a net-zero future.” NLCIL asserts its operational dominion over the 250 MW Barsingsar Thermal Power Station (BTPS), delivering cost-efficient electricity to the state of Rajasthan. The company has effectively secured a 300 MW solar project capacity in the CPSE Scheme Phase-II Tranche-III, a solicitation facilitated by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) through a fiercely contested bidding process.