Wind power and solar energy in Orissa

“As against the renewable energy potential, three small hydro power projects with 57 MW, nine solar photovoltaic (PV) project with 13 MW and one biomass power project of 20 MW have been commissioned in Orissa.

In addition, Grid Corporation of Orissa (Gridco) has signed power purchase agreements with eight developers of biomass projects with a combined capacity of 98 MW and six small hydro-electric projects with a capacity totaling to 67 MW. Recently, one developer was selected through the bidding process to commission 25 MW solar PV project in the state,” said minister for energy Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.

Kolkata-based Alex Astral Power Private Ltd has bagged the contract for setting up of a 25 MW solar power plant in Orissa. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 300 crore. The project is likely to be set up somewhere in Bolangir district considering the amount of solar radiation the area gets.

After completion of the project, Alex will sell solar energy at Rs 7 per unit to Gridco and in turn, the bulk power power purchaser will agree to buy power from Alex for a period of 25 years. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is expected to be signed in the last week of April this year.

To give a boost to solar power generation, Gridco has signed PPAs with eight solar developers, each with a capacity of one MW. It had also inked MoU with Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to avail generation based incentive (GBI) under Rooftop Photovoltaic and Small Solar Generation Programme (RPSSGP) scheme of the Union ministry of new & renewable energy (MNRE).

In addition, Gridco had also entered into power sale agreement with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd, a 100 per cent subsidiary of NTPC Ltd, to avail solar power bundled with equivalent capacity of thermal power from unallocated share of upcoming NTPC stations. Under this scheme, 20 MW of solar power has been allocated to Gridco.

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