Pursuing their development in India, EREN Renewable Energy and EDF Energies Nouvelles announce the commissioning of NSM and Odisha solar plants totaling 150 MWp in Rajasthan and Odisha Indian states. Awarded following calls for tenders launched by the Indian government for NSM and by the State of Odisha for the project of the same name, these projects have been developed by ACME Solar. EREN Renewable Energy and EDF Energies Nouvelles each hold a 25% stake in ACME Solar.
Located in the Rajasthan State, in the Thar desert, the 120 MWp NSM project (Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission) is a combination of five photovoltaic plants, which are equipped with 612,000 solar panels in total. NSM’s commissioning represents a major milestone for ACME Solar and contributes to India’s objective of installing 100 GW of solar assets by year 2019.
Funded by local and international financial institutions including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), this project significantly contributes to the local economy and employment, as all construction, operation and maintenance work, as well as the supply of 20% of photovoltaic modules have been contracted with Indian businesses, thus creating a sustainable local industrial cluster.
Located in the area of Sikuan, the 30 MWp Odisha solar plant, comprises 117,000 photovoltaic panels. With a total output of 150 MWp Odisha and NSM solar plants will provide energy to more than 90,000 Indian homes.
“The solar market in India has been steadily growing for several years and is now undeniably a competitive solution. ACME Solar is proud to actively participate to India’s energy mix variegation strategies, and to the scaling up of renewable energies”, commented Mr. Manoj Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman of ACME Cleantech.
“Based on our recent successful achievements and the solid complementarity between EREN Renewable Energy, ACME Cleantech and EDF Energies Nouvelles, our ambition is to become one of the main players on the Indian photovoltaic market. ACME Solar exemplifies a flourishing international collaboration with strong local footprint”, stated David Corchia, CEO of EREN Renewable Energy.
“With 180 MWp solar energy capacity installed less than a year after our entry into the Indian market, the commissioning of NSM and Odisha consolidate our position in this high potential country and paves the way to other projects”, comments Antoine Cahuzac, Chief Executive Officer of EDF Energies Nouvelles.
Based in New Delhi, ACME Solar Energy Private Limited is owned by three complementary partners, granting the joint venture local capabilities and industrial expertise:
- ACME Cleantech Solutions Limited, an Indian company with international operations specializing in new energy solutions, communications and environmental services, holds a 50% stake;
- EREN Renewable Energy, the first group dedicated to saving natural resources, holds 25% of the company;
- EDF Energies Nouvelles, a major international player in renewable energy and photovoltaic solar power, also holds 25%;
A renowned player on the renewable energy market, ACME Solar has been nominated “PV developer of the year 2014” at the 2014 BRIDGE TO INDIA solar awards.
EREN Renewable Energy develops power projects in countries where renewable energy represents an economically viable response to growing energy demands. Through partnerships established with local developers, EREN has accumulated a portfolio of over 400 MW of renewable energy assets either already in operation or under construction, and over 1,500 MW of assets under development since 2012. EREN is a subsidiary of EREN Group, the first group dedicated to natural resource efficiency, founded by Pâris Mouratoglou and David Corchia.
