Haryana solar project draws in big guns

With companies like Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), EPURON, Admire Energy Solutions Limited (Moser Baer group company), Albina Power (an Indiabulls Company), Acme Telepower Limited and Emco Limited showing interest in harnessing electricity from solar energy in Haryana, the state government's aim to add 10 per cent of the new capacity addition of power through renewable energy by 2012 seems a possible reality.

The Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA), which is the nodal agency to promote and implement renewable energy projects, recently invited applications from independent power producers (IPPs) and other parties to set up solar photovolatic power (SPP) plants across the state.

An official said that the department had received around 20 applications that was above their expectations. If all the companies get nod to set up the SPP plants the state would receive additional 127 MW electricity throughout these projects. Also the state is likely to earn anywhere between Rs 20-25 crore per MW electricity generated form these projects.

The official spokesman made it clear that the selected investor will have to identify and acquire land for the project. Also the total time allotted for setting up the SPP projects would be 18 months.

"The rate at which the state would purchase electricity is yet to be ascertained, but if any company wishes to seek subsidy from the Government of India (GoI) it could quote a maximum rate of Rs 15 per unit," the official said.

Haryana is an electricity deficient state and has taken several steps to solve the electricity problem.

To facilitate power generation through renewable sources, the state government in its cabinet meeting held yesterday has decided to exempt the Renewable Energy Power Projects from change of land use charges, external development charges, scrutiny fee and infrastructure development charges.