Bikaner: In a significant step towards achieving India’s renewable energy capacity targets and the goal of achieving Net Zero by 2070, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the foundation stone laying ceremony for a 300 MW Solar Power Plant in Karnisar-Bhatiyan village, Poogal Tehsil, Bikaner, Rajasthan. The event took place through a virtual platform on February 16, 2024. The project, undertaken by NHPC Limited under the Government of India’s CPSU Scheme, Phase-II, Tranche-III, involves an investment of over Rs. 1,732 crores.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including high-efficiency bifacial modules manufactured in India, the solar project aligns with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative. The electricity generated will be transmitted through the Bikaner-II Inter State Transmission System Substation. The project’s goal is to produce approximately 750 million units of green power annually, with a Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of 28.50%. Over its lifetime, this initiative is expected to offset carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 18,000 million metric tons.
The Power Usage Agreement for the project has been signed with the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), at a competitive tariff of Rs. 2.45/unit for 25 years. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, has provided Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of ₹ 134.70 crores to support the project. The solar power plant is scheduled for commissioning by September 2024 and is anticipated to create employment opportunities for around 600 individuals indirectly during the project phase and 100 personnel during the Operations & Maintenance phase.
The event was attended by Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma; Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh; Union Minister for Law & Justice and Member of Parliament from Bikaner Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal. Deputy Chief Minister, Rajasthan, Smt. Diya Kumari; Minister of State for Power and Heavy Industries Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, and Deputy Chief Minister, Rajasthan Shri Prem Chand Bairwa were also present at the ceremony.
NHPC Limited, India’s leading hydropower company, plays a crucial role in the renewable energy sector with a total installed capacity of 7097.2 MW of Renewable Energy, including wind and solar, through its 25 power stations, including 1520 MW through subsidiaries. Currently, NHPC is actively involved in the construction of 15 projects with an aggregate installed capacity of 10,449 MW.
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