PM inaugurates 300 MW solar power plant in Rajasthan

With an investment of  ₹1,732 crores the project implemented by NHPC marks a significant stride towards India’s renewable energy goals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the foundation stone laying ceremony for a 300 MW Solar Power Plant situated in Karnisar-Bhatiyan village, Poogal Tehsil, Bikaner, Rajasthan on Friday, via video conferencing. This significant step is part of the Government of India’s ambitious Renewable Energy capacity addition target and its commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2070. The project, implemented by NHPC Limited under the Government’s CPSU Scheme Phase-II, Tranche-III, represents a substantial investment of over ₹1,732 crores.

Employing state-of-the-art technology, the solar project features high-efficiency bifacial modules manufactured domestically, in line with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative. The generated electricity will be transmitted through the Bikaner-II Inter-State Transmission System Substation. With an estimated Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF) of 28.50 percent, the project aims to produce approximately 750 million units of green power annually, contributing to offsetting carbon dioxide emissions by around 18,000 million Metric tons throughout its lifespan.

The Power Usage Agreement has been signed with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) at a competitive tariff of ₹2.45/unit for 25 years, leveraging Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of ₹134.70 crores provided by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India. Scheduled for commissioning by September 2024, the project holds the potential to create approximately 600 indirect job opportunities during the project phase and 100 positions during the Operations & Maintenance phase. Moreover, as per the provisions of the Solar Policy of the state, the Government of Rajasthan will also receive a contribution towards the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Development Fund to support the development of large power system infrastructure for grid management and other necessary facilitation works.

The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh, Union Minister for Law & Justice and Member of Parliament from Bikaner Arjun Ram Meghwal. Also present were Deputy Chief Minister, Rajasthan, Diya Kumari, Minister of State for Power and Heavy Industries Krishan Pal Gurjar, and Deputy Chief Minister, Rajasthan Prem Chand Bairwa.

NHPC Limited, India’s leading hydropower company, boasts a total installed capacity of 7097.2 MW of Renewable Energy (including wind and solar) across 25 power stations, including 1520 MW through subsidiaries. Currently, NHPC, along with its subsidiaries and Joint Venture companies, is involved in the construction of 15 projects with an aggregate installed capacity of 10,449 MW.