ENERGY NEWS

Haryana setting up solar power plant at site of defunct thermal plant

Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd (HPGCL) is setting up a solar power plant at the site of a defunct thermal power plant in Faridabad.

The power generator plans to set up the plant over 151.78 acres near Bata Chowk in the district that generated coal based energy in the past.

Managing director, HPGCL, MKV Ramarao said the process for auction of defunct plant and machinery has been initiated. He said that the actual site of thermal plant will be retained and developed by the Haryana Urban Development Authority.

Apart from Faridabad project, the HPGCL is also mulling to generate solar power on land in and around the four-aging coal based thermal power plant at Panipat. To reduce cost of power and maintenance, the Haryana government has decided to shut four of Panipat thermal plants.

"The process for utilizing available land around the closed plants in Panipat would be initiated in near future," MD said.

HPGCL has an installed capacity of 5300 MW, mainly from a coal-based plant at Panipat, Yamunanagar and Hisar. Apart from the Faridabad project, four other aging and inefficient thermal power units at Panipat are also being shut down to cut the cost of power.

The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has already approved a plan to set up a 500 MW solar power park in the state. The Haryana Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) has been asked to prepare the project report.

Haryana has enticed investors, especially in renewable energy, during the recently held 'Happening Haryana' investment campaign. The state's renewable energy sector received investment proposals worth over Rs 85,000 crore, mainly in solar energy.

Under the new Solar Power Policy, the state government has allowed industry status with financial exemptions, single-window clearance, no charges for change of land use, power banking licence from DISCOMS, among other benefits.

The state is targeting 4,200 MW of power generation from solar energy by the year 2022. To tap solar power, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) between Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) and HPGCL will facilitate the green projects. 

source:http://renewableenergyheadlines.com