- State-owned company SJVN Ltd is developing this 1,000 MW solar project in Rajasthan at a development cost of ₹5492 crores
- The project is scheduled to be commissioned by March 2024: SJVN MD
On a two-day visit to the state of Rajasthan, President Droupadi Murmu recently laid the foundation stone of the 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project virtually in Jaipur. The project is being developed by a Mini Ratna energy firm SJVN Limited at the cost of ₹5492 crores. Moreover, IREDA is providing the viability gap funding support of ₹44.72 lakhs per MW. It is being considered another big step to achieve India’s renewable target of 500 GW by 2030. On the occasion, she also inaugurated the Transmission System for Solar Energy Zones in Rajasthan.
Notably, SJVN’s wholly owned subsidiary, SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL) is developing the project on 5000 acres of outright purchased land near Banderwala village in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan. It is one of the highest solar yield areas in India.
The chairman and MD of SJVN, Nand Lal Sharma remarked: “The project is scheduled to be commissioned by March 2024. After commissioning this project will generate 2454.55 million units in the first year and approximately 56838 MU would be generated on a cumulative basis over a period of 25 years.”
It was also noted that domestically manufactured solar photovoltaic cells and modules will be used to give a push to Make in India Drive. Aiming to provide cheaper electricity, the maximum usage charges have been fixed at Rs. 2.57 per unit.
As per various reports, SJVN got this project under Central Public Sector Undertaking Scheme Phase-II, Tranche-III (Government Producer Scheme) through competitive bidding. Notably, the power generated by the project is for self-use or use by government/ government entities, either directly or through distribution companies (DISCOMS).
Sharma pointed out that the project will generate around 150-200 direct and 800-1000 indirect employment opportunities, which would help in stimulating the local economy, creating green jobs and overall development of the region. Carbon emissions of close to 27,85,077 tonnes will also be reduced, thanks to the project.
SJVN, formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, is a leading power CPSE under the Ministry of Power. It is majorly involved in hydroelectric power generation and transmission. The CPSE is currently developing 73 hydro, solar, wind & thermal projects in India and Nepal.
