The Haryana Power Generation Corporation (HPGCL) is venturing into solar power generation by setting up solar energy-based power plants at Panipat, Yamunanagar and Khedar in Hisar.
HPGCL plans to tap the vast solar energy potential and earn carbon credits by generating power through this clean source. The projects will be implemented under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.
HPGCL managing director Sanjeev Kaushal told FE that the solar power plants will be grid interactive and the process to finalise the consultants is on. ?So far we have been producing power through coal and hydel sources but now that the clean processes are available and the regulator is allowing its use for generation so we plan to foray into solar power generation. Moreover there can be improvement on technology front in this segment and we can make use of it,? Kaushal said.
Following a new model, the solar power plants will be set up at the existing land of thermal power plants at Panipat, Yamunanagar, Hisar and hydel power plant in Yamunanagar.
HPGCL had floated tenders for engaging services of a consultant on June 28 this year. But after relaxing some stringent qualifying requirements, the tenders were reissued on July 14 and opened on July 28. Another senior official of HPGCL said seven firms had evinced interest to offer their consultancy services and three were shortlisted. HPGCL plans to establish the solar power plants within six to eight months and to take the process on a fasttrack. A solar and renewable energy cell has already been created.
As per the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) guidelines, a cost of Rs 16.90 crore per mw is involved in setting up solar photovoltaic power plant and Rs 15.30 crore per mw is involved for solar thermal plant.
The tariff fixed by CERC is Rs 17.91 per unit for solar photovoltaic and Rs 15.29 per unit for solar thermal.
