Singareni Collieries plans to set up 300 MW solar units

Singareni Collieries Company Ltd is set to enter the solar energy sector with plans to set up 300-MW units in the coal mining belt. It has decided to finalise norms and invite tenders within 10 days.

The State-owned coal mining company, which has been planning to add renewables to its portfolio of thermal power plant, plans to generate 300 MW of solar power.

Following a meeting of the company management chaired by CMD N Sridhar, it was decided to set up solar plants in four coal mining areas in the first phase.

It is proposed to set up a 60 MW solar plant at Yellandu, a 50 MW plant at Ramagundam, a 30 MW plant at Manuguru and a 10 MW plant at the Singareni Thermal Power Station.

Solar parks

The SCCL management has identified the land required for the solar parks. Typically, 1 MW of solar park requires about 5 acres.

Sridhar has directed the officials concerned to complete the modalities required for inviting the tenders within the next 10 days, besides initiating steps to ensure that land is made ready for setting up the solar projects.

During the discussions the CMD had with senior officials, it was decided to appoint a consulting company as well as to come out with guidelines to be adopted for initiating the tender process.

The mining company has a 1,200 MW thermal power plant and is in the process of adding additional capacity at the same location.

The CMD, who reviewed the functioning of the thermal power plant, said both the units were functioning at high plant load factors and of the 806 MW power generated, the company supplied 762.37 MW to Power Grid Corporation Ltd at Gajwel with a plant load factor of 90.33 per cent.

COMMENT NOW