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PSUs team up for 4,000-MW ultra-mega solar project in Rajasthan

January 30: Six public sector companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on January 29 to set up a 4,000-MW ultra-mega solar power project (UMSPP) near Jaipur in Rajasthan, said an official release from the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

The plant will be set up in two phases over a period of 7 years with phase-I comprising 1,000 MW and the balance 3,000 MW in subsequent phases.

According to the MoU, a joint venture company (JVC) will be developed for the UMSPP with 26% equity participation from Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) followed by Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited with 23%, Hindustan Salts Limited (including subsidiary Sambhar Salts Limited) with 16%, Power Grid Corporation Limited (PGCL), 16%, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL), 16% and Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL) acquiring the balance 3%.

The plant will be set up on land provided by Sambhar Salts Limited while the equipment will be supplied by BHEL, power evacuation by Powergrid, sale of electricity by Solar Energy Corporation, O&M by REIL and project management by SJVNL.

Post commissioning of the plant and commercial utilisation of the harvested energy therein, the plant would become the largest single location solar electricity generation project in the world.