Reliance Power commissions 100 MW solar power plant in Rajasthan

Reliance Power has commissioned its 100-megawatt concentrated solar power (CSP) project at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on November 11, 2014 by successfully synchronising the grid and power generation. The company has invested Rs 2,100 crores in the plant, which is world's largest CSP project based on compact linear Fresnel reflector (CLFR) technology, provided by Areva Solar - the US subsidiary of Areva SA of France.
 
The 100-MW CSP plant, built adjacent to the 40 MW solar photovoltaic project, has 25 per cent reserve margin to meet 25-year power purchase agreement obligations.
 
Rajasthan Sun Technique Energy, a subsidiary of Reliance Power, was awarded the project in December 2010, based on international competitive bidding conducted by Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (a subsidiary of NTPC) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission of the centre.
 
The project is the largest investment undertaken by any private sector entity in CSP in India. It is financed through debt from multilateral agencies such as Asian Development Bank, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Financerings Maatschappu Voor Ontwikkelingslanden NV and Axis Bank.
 
With this project, Reliance Power's generation capacity has increased to 5,285 Mw, which includes 5,100 Mw of thermal capacity and 185 Mw of renewable energy-based capacity.