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To increase its solar generation capacity, Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (Mahagenco) has invited tenders to develop a 50-Mw gird-interactive solar project in Kudgaon in Osmanabad district and a 25-Mw project in Sakri, Dhule district.
It is estimated the two projects will require an overall investment of Rs 600 crore (Rs 8 crore/Mw). The projects will be operated and maintained on a public-private partnership basis for 25 years. For these projects, bidders can choose any proven solar technology.
Of Mahagenco’s overall capacity of 11,369 Mw, 7,980 Mw is thermal-based, 2,585 Mw hydel, 672 Mw gas turbine-based and 132 Mw solar. A Mahagenco official told said, “Mahagenco is implementing a capacity-addition programme of 9,320 Mw. Currently, project execution works for 3,230 Mw are underway, while 6,090-Mw projects are in advanced stages of planning. As far as solar generation capacity is concerned, Mahagenco has commissioned 132 Mw so far. This comprises 125 Mw in Sakri, five Mw in Chandrapur district and two Mw of the overall 50 Mw in Baramati, Pune district. To fulfil its renewable power obligation under the Electricity Act, 2003, Mahagenco plans to increase its solar capacity to 450 Mw by the end of 2015-16.”
The official added 50 Mw of capacity building in Kaudgaon (phase-II), 50 Mw in Gangakhed, 80 Mw in Mangladevi (Yawatmal) and 15 Mw in Aanterveli (Parbhani) would be undertaken soon. He said the solar power rate fixed by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) stood at Rs 8.61/unit. “The per-unit rate might fall to Rs 6. This will be possible only after MERC’s approval,” he said.
As the availability of big land parcels was a hurdle for solar projects with capacities exceeding 500 Mw, Mahagenco was implementing projects with capacities of 15-125 Mw, the official said. “For one Mw, at least two hectares are required, while for 500 Mw, a total of 2,000 acres are needed,” he added.
It is estimated the two projects will require an overall investment of Rs 600 crore (Rs 8 crore/Mw). The projects will be operated and maintained on a public-private partnership basis for 25 years. For these projects, bidders can choose any proven solar technology.
Of Mahagenco’s overall capacity of 11,369 Mw, 7,980 Mw is thermal-based, 2,585 Mw hydel, 672 Mw gas turbine-based and 132 Mw solar. A Mahagenco official told said, “Mahagenco is implementing a capacity-addition programme of 9,320 Mw. Currently, project execution works for 3,230 Mw are underway, while 6,090-Mw projects are in advanced stages of planning. As far as solar generation capacity is concerned, Mahagenco has commissioned 132 Mw so far. This comprises 125 Mw in Sakri, five Mw in Chandrapur district and two Mw of the overall 50 Mw in Baramati, Pune district. To fulfil its renewable power obligation under the Electricity Act, 2003, Mahagenco plans to increase its solar capacity to 450 Mw by the end of 2015-16.”
The official added 50 Mw of capacity building in Kaudgaon (phase-II), 50 Mw in Gangakhed, 80 Mw in Mangladevi (Yawatmal) and 15 Mw in Aanterveli (Parbhani) would be undertaken soon. He said the solar power rate fixed by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) stood at Rs 8.61/unit. “The per-unit rate might fall to Rs 6. This will be possible only after MERC’s approval,” he said.
As the availability of big land parcels was a hurdle for solar projects with capacities exceeding 500 Mw, Mahagenco was implementing projects with capacities of 15-125 Mw, the official said. “For one Mw, at least two hectares are required, while for 500 Mw, a total of 2,000 acres are needed,” he added.
