TENDERING FOR 2,300 MW OF SOLAR ENERGY IN OFFING WITH EMPHASIS FOR DOMESTIC CONTENT IN IT.

Solar Energy Corporation of India has signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with various stakeholders to an extent of 3,200 mw of solar power and would shortly finalize and float tenders for putting up of solar power projects with a total additional capacity of 2,300 mw to generate solar energy in next few years, according to its MD & Director Solar, Dr. Ashvini Kumar.

The corporation is committed to finalize 5,500 mw of solar energy in next few years for which PPAs to produce 3,200 mw are already in place and tendering process for remaining 2,300 mw of solar power projects are at various stages of implementation, clarified Dr. Kumar emphasizing that his corporation has fixed up a particular percentage for domestic content in these proposed 5,500 mw of solar energy to spur up 'Make in India'.

Addressing a Conference on Roadmap to Achieve 175 GW Renewable Energy by 2022 under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Dr. Kumar also disclosed that tendering for 100 mw of roof top solar power has already been approved for government buildings as a separate package by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

"Following encouragement from the government to spur up and promote Make in India, the solar power corporation has been specifying in its tendering documents a domestic content in solar power plants to also ensure level playing field for indigenous developers of such projects", said Dr. Kumar.

According to him, Tamil Nadu has taken a lead in putting up solar power projects to the total capacity of 1,590 mw until now followed by 1,370 mw and 1,158 mw Rajasthan and Gujarat respectively whereas Andhra has succeeded in creating a substantial solar capacity in its geographical landscape.

VC&MD, New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of AP, Mr. M Kamalakar Babu who also was present on the occasion, however, informed that a world standard energy university is going to come up in the State for which a draft bill would be produced in the State Assembly in its Budget Session.

According to him, Andhra is one state which has already committed to produce 10 per cent of the total solar capacities of non-conventional power as is being visualized under the Prime Minister's favourite project which has been encouraging production of clean and green energy.

Among others who were present at the Conference comprised Senior Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan; Senior Vice President & Co-Head Corporate Sector Ratings, ICRA, Mr. Sabyasachi Majumdar; Co-Chairman, Renewable Energy Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Vijay Kumar Goel and its Director, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta.