Union Minister Inaugurates 51 Rooftop Solar Power Plants of BCCL in Push for Sustainable Energy

Ranchi: In a pivotal step towards sustainable energy and lowering carbon emissions, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey, remotely inaugurated 51 rooftop solar power plants of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) from Ranchi. This initiative, part of the ongoing Special Campaign 4.0, showcases a cumulative capacity of 2.428 Mega Watts (MW) and reinforces BCCL’s commitment to promoting a greener and self-reliant India.

During the inauguration, Minister Dubey commended BCCL’s initiatives, stating, “The installation of rooftop solar plants is an exemplary use of unused building spaces and a commendable effort towards sustainable energy.” His remarks highlighted the importance of leveraging available resources to address energy challenges.

Samiran Dutta, CMD of BCCL, expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s strides in renewable energy, stating that this landmark achievement reflects BCCL’s dedication not only to meeting the nation’s coking coal requirements but also to ensuring a sustainable and eco-friendly future. He emphasized that these 51 solar plants are a testament to BCCL’s long-term vision aligned with India’s renewable energy mission. Senior officers from BCCL were also present at the event, underscoring the importance of this milestone.

As a key subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) and the largest producer of coking coal in India, BCCL plays a vital role in the “Mission Coking Coal” under the Aatmnirbhar Bharat initiative. Currently, BCCL has installed and commissioned 1.66 MW of rooftop solar plants across various locations.

Looking ahead, BCCL plans to install a 3 MW rooftop solar plant in the financial year 2024-25. Additionally, a 20 MW ground-mounted solar project is in progress at the Dugdha Washery, with an expected completion date in 2024, while a 25 MW ground-mounted solar project at Bhojudih Coal Washery is scheduled for completion by March 2025.