Tata powers solar project for NTPC

Bangalore, June 18 (IANS) Tata Solar Power has commissioned a 50 megawatt solar photovoltaic project for the state-run NTPC at Rajgarh, 140 km from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.

"As the largest solar project, the renewable energy plant has only domestically made modules and will power about 90,000 households in a year," the city-based Tata group firm said in a statement here Wednesday.

Built over 240 acres of land, the plant will generate 79 million units of energy per year and help offset 73,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) in first year.

"As key partner and EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contractor, Tata has shown expertise in solar domain and delivered the project on time," NTPC director A.K. Jha said on the occasion.

The power generator, which has built a combined capacity to produce 95 MW of solar power, has a mandate to expand its renewable energy portfolio to 1,000mw by 2017.

"The project bears testimony to our 25-year lineage and the ability to bring strengths in manufacturing solar modules and EPC capabilities," Tata Power Solar chief executive Ajay Goel asserted.

The Tata firm also involved about 2,000 people from nearby villages during the project execution in civil, mechanical and structural works.

As a leading integrated solar solutions provider and specialized EPC player, the company operates 200 MW of solar module manufacturing in Bangalore and has designed and built 160 MW of grid connected projects across the country.

"We have completed 160 MW of ground-mount utility scale and 40 MW of rooftop and distributed generation projects across the country," Goel recalled.

The company also offers diverse solar products, including water heaters, home lighting, street lighting, power packs, and water pumps for urban and rural markets across the country to provide clean energy to millions of people in the country.