Haryana Power Generation Corporation (HPGCL) plans to venture into solar power generation by setting up solar energy-based power plant at Bhud Kalan in district Yamunanagar. The corporation’s board of directors has already approved the setting up of the power plant and the modalities are being worked out. Sanjeev Kaushal, managing director of HPGCL told FE, ?Our board has approved the detailed project report (DPR) and the solar power plant will come up at Power House-D of Hydel project at Yamunanagar. The solar power plant will be grid interactive.?
The corporation already has a 14.4 mw hydroelectric power plant at Yamunanagar and the 6.5 mw solar power plant will come up in its vicinity. The project is likely to catalyse an investment of Rs 100 crore. HPGCL had engaged a consultant M/s Gensol, Ahmadabad to carry out a feasibility study at its existing thermal power stations at Panipat,Yamunanagar and Hisar and hydel power station at Yamunanagar for setting up Solar Power Projects. With the DPR ready in march, the corporation plans to start work on the project within the next two-three months. Another official of HPGCL said, ?The report will be forwarded to the government for final approval soon. We plan to file the petition for tariff fixation to Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) within this week. Once things are finalised then tenders will be issued for hiring the EPC contractor to set up the plant.? The power utilities will buy the power generated through the solar project for distribution in the state. By generating power through green energy resources, HPGCL aims to earn carbon credits and bring up more environment friendly projects. The projects will be implemented under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.
The corporation is following a new model whereby the solar power plant is being set up at the existing land of thermal/hydel power plants. After detailed study it shortlisted the hydel power plant in Yamunanagar. HPGCL had floated tenders for engaging services of a consultant on June 28 last year. But after relaxing some stringent qualifying requirements the tenders were reissued on July 14 and opened on July 28. HPGCL has also created a renewable energy cell to look after this new venture.
