Welspun Energy, which is setting up a 1,320-Mw thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh, is keenly looking at the non-conventional energy prospects in Uttar Pradesh.
The company, which is part of the $3-billion Welspun Group spanning interests in energy, textiles, retail and infrastructure sectors, is looking at 100 Mw capacity plant in the next 12 months.
“UP has a huge potential in non-conventional energy space, especially solar energy. This will also help the state overcome the prevailing power deficit,” Welspun Energy Managing Director Vineet Mittal told Business Standard.
He said the company had held preliminary talks with the state energy department and a memorandum of standing (MoU) regarding the solar energy foray could be signed soon.
Mittal said Bahraich, Shrawasti, Pilibhit and other districts at foothills would be the ideal places to setup solar energy plants.
“These places have good solar radiation, which is ideal for solar energy generation, besides other determining factor is the amount of clear sky days,” he informed.
Mittal said solar energy plant typically required five acres barren land and Rs 15 crore investment for every megawatt capacity planned. The energy department or non-conventional energy development agency officials could not be reached for comments.
He said the state would need to add roughly 800 Mw non-conventional energy capacity soon under the renewable purchase obligation (RPO).
Last year, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission had notified regulation on Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) in fulfilment of its mandate to promote renewable sources of energy in the country. The framework of REC is expected to give a push to renewable energy capacity additions in the country.
Failure to comply with RPO will attract ‘regulatory charges’ (penalty) for entities in the renewable energy business to be laid down by the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.
