 "NLC plans 300-Mw solar plant in Odisha")
Chennai-based Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd (NLC), a Navratna public sector undertaking (PSU), has evinced interest in establishing a 300-Mw solar power plant in Odisha's Balasore district. The cost of setting up the plant is not known though creating 1 Mw solar capacity entails an investment of Rs 7-8 crore.
"The exact location of the proposed solar power plant is yet to be firmed up. Neyveli Lignite is keen on setting up the plant in Balasore district where the state government is developing a solar park under the government of India scheme. A team from the company is expected to visit Odisha shortly for a recce of the site and examining the feasibility of the project," a top official source told Business Standard.
NLC has already decided to foray into solar power generation by announcing to install solar power plants of 50-Mw capacity in Andaman. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has prepared an action plan for Andaman and Nicobar Islands towards achieving its programme of green initiatives. NLC has been assigned the establishment of solar-based power plants in Andaman with a view to phase out the usage of diesel generation sets in the Union territory.
Odisha, meanwhile, has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a 1,000-Mw solar park, aiming to tap its enormous potential for solar power. The state government has proposed to set up a 1,000-Mw solar park in cluster mode since it is not feasible to procure 5,000 acres of contiguous land needed for the mega park.
The park, to be developed on the public-private partnership (PPP) mode, has been formally approved by the MNRE. It is poised to attract investments to the tune of Rs 6,500 crore.
