New Delhi: Anil Ambani’s Reliance NU Suntech has won a bid by the State-Run Navratna company Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to set up a 930 MW integrated solar plant with a battery energy storage system (BESS) of 465 MW/1860 MWh aiming to invest about Rs.10,000 crore.
This is one India’s most ambitious solar power projects to date, where SECI secures a supply of solar energy at a fixed rate of Rs.3.53 per KwH. This is set to become Asia’s largest integrated solar energy plant that is expected to be operational in the next 24 months.
Reliance NU Suntech won this bid beating 5 other energy contenders. It has already submitted a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) worth Rs.378 crore and it is swiftly moving toward implementing the project.
A step in the right direction
With the government actively aiming to increase renewable energy generation to 500 GW by 2030, this is a step in the right direction. Currently, the share of renewables is about 50%, and the government is actively aiming to use solar and wind energy in the best way possible to meet our growing energy needs.
According to a press release by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Government of India, there has been a 27% increase in the share of solar energy generation since 2023, and the government is actively working with private players to boost energy generation to ensure uninterrupted energy supply across India.
The government now aims to wean the country from highly polluting coal-fired power plants that still give us about 40% of the power we use. The challenge for the government is to ensure reliable and consistent power generation to meet demand, as renewables may not be able to do so as expected.
The investments in battery storage can help mop up excess generation during sunny days and release it when needed, a technology that is now in great demand, considering the seasonal nature of energy demand.
India is blessed with abundant sunlight to generate energy during the day, especially in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, along with PSUs like SECI, NTPC and NHPC who are using their vast land banks to help set up solar and wind energy farms to private players.
