In a humble yet significant beginning for solar power generation in Orissa, the first solar power plant has been commissioned in the state.
Hyderabad-based Raajratna Energy Holdings Private Limited (REHPL), a company engaged in the development of renewable energy projects has announced the commissioning of its 1 MW solar power plant at Sadeipali in western Orissa's Bolangir district on last Monday.
Incidentally, this is the third grid connected solar power plant in the country. The plant was successfully synchronized with the grid on June 30 this year. This project has been commissioned in a record time of five months at an estimated cost of Rs 16-17 crore.
It has been implemented under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) of Rooftop PV (Photo Voltaic) and Small Solar Power Generation Programme (RPSSGP) Scheme of the Union ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
The project was executed by AIC Projects GmbH, Germany and KSK Surya-Hyderabad. REHPL has expressed its gratitude to Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) for its timely funding of the project.
To give a boost to solar power generation, Gridco had signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with eight solar developers, each with a capacity of 1 MW. It had also inked an MoU with Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to avail generation based incentive (GBI) under the Union ministry of new & renewable energy (MNRE) through IREDA under Rooftop Photovoltaic and Small Solar Generation Programme (RPSSGP) scheme.
In addition to this, 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 'New Solar Projects' scheme of MNRE. Under the said scheme, 20 MW of solar power has been allocated to Gridco.
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The National Tariff Policy mandates each state electricity regulatory commission (SERC) to specify a renewable energy purchase obligation by the states in a time-bound manner where solar purchase obligation (SPO) is a part.
The Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) has fixed RPO of five per cent for 2011-12 of which 0.1 per cent would be from solar power.