PSPCL going Green: leasing 450 acres on Rs 1 per annum to set up 100 MW solar plant

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PSPCL going Green: leasing 450 acres on Rs 1 per annum to set up 100 MW solar plant

Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ December 21,2023

Punjab state power corporation limited (PSPCL) is going green and moving towards energy transition. The powercom is planning to set up 100 MW solar power plant in the ash dyke area of the erstwhile, first thermal plant of Punjab, GNDTP, Bathinda on Build-Own-Operate ( BOO) basis alongwith the associated Transmission line for Power Evacuation to the 220 KV, GNDTP Sub-station, Bathinda.

The total Ash Dyke area of GNDTP is 853 acres (approx.). However, the land identified for setting up of 100 MW solar plant is approximately 450 Acres in this Ash Dyke area. As per sources, PSPCL wants the operator to provide solar power to PSPCL for 25 years and all the statutory/ mandatory approvals required for setting up of project and successful Operation & Maintenance of project will be the responsibility of bidder.

The land for setting up of project will be provided by PSPCL on nominal lease rent of Rs. 1/-(one) per acre per annum.

PSPCL has laid a condition that “the company shall be selected on the basis of least quoted Tariff. The competitive tariff to be initially quoted by the bidders during the bidding process shall be firm and shall be less than Rs. 2.50/-per kWh. This would be followed by the e reverse auction.”

PSPCL also giving relaxation to the company, who is going to install a 100 MW solar plant that “in case the generation is over and above 10% of declared annual CUF the quantum specified in 3.9.3(i), the Solar Power Generator will be free to sell it to any other entity provided first right of refusal will vest with the PSPCL. In case the PSPCL purchases the excess generation, the same shall be done at the PPA tariff.”

Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) a Mini Ratna, Category-I and Schedule –‘A’ Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) under administrative control of Ministry of Power, Govt. of India is also going to set up a Solar Power Projects (s) upto 200 MW capacity in Punjab.

On the other hand PSPCL in its annual revenue requirement petition filed with Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has mentioned that in the coming year it is not likely to purchase any REC certificate. PSPCL will get enough solar and non- solar power supply from various renewable sources.

PSPCL going Green: leasing 450 acres on Rs 1 per annum to set up 100 MW solar plant. The installed capacity of solar plants in Punjab as on August 31,2023 are 1300 MW. India’s solar power installed capacity was 71.61 GW as of 31 August 2023

PSPCL contracted solar power supply to increase to 4055 MW in 2024-25 from the present 1651 MW. PSPCL will get additional 3622 million units from various new solar projects contracted. The solar plants coming within Punjab are of 354 MW , whereas outside Punjab solar capacity contracted is 2150 MW. The total solar power available in next financial year will be around 8025 million units

Energy rates for upcoming solar projects for 24 -25 has been taken Rs.2.65 to 2.75 per units for three solar plants coming within Punjab. For solar plants outside Punjab, PSPCL will purchase power at Rs.2.33 to 2.55 per unit.

The total intrastate solar power is 884 MW and generating 1302 million units. The inter- state solar power available is 767 MW with projected supply of 2300 million units. The long term total supply is 4403 million units.

The total non- solar power from various sources will be 3397 million units making a total of 11422.33 million units of renewable power.

The total large hydel projects to be counted as RE as per RPO regulations 2022 is 12277.27 million units and total RE for RPO compliance of PSPCL is 23699.61 million units. During the year 2022-23 this figure was 6586.65 million units.