Tuesday, November 12, 2013: If the proposal by the Center is accepted then we will soon see four ultra mega solar power projects (UMPPs). These projects will come up at Rajasthan (4,000 Mw), Gujarat (4,000 Mw), Kargil (2,000 Mw) and Ladakh (5,000 Mw) and would cost Rs 90 billion.
Tarun Kapoor, joint secretary, ministry of new and renewable energy, reportedly told Business Standard that the per Mw capital cost has been estimated at Rs 60 million against the existing Rs 70 million approximately. The per unit rate has been estimated to be at Rs 5.50.
‘”The one in Rajasthan would be developed on an engineering procurement and construction (EPC) basis. For this, public undertakings Bharat Heavy Electricals, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Power Grid, Hindustan Salt and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments will form a joint venture company.”
Kapoor also shared that in the proposed JVC, BHEL will be a lead company and will manufacture solar panels for the Rajasthan project.
In the first phase of 1,000 MW of Rajasthan UMPP, it will be operational in three years while the entire project completion will take seven years. For the same, the land has been identified already. The power produced will then be sold to Solar Energy Corporation which will further trade it to various distribution companies.
Gujarat UMPP will be developed with 5-6 companies. However, details are yet to be finalised.
