Thursday, July 24, 2014: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has joined hands with several entities including Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Sambhar Salts Limited (SSL), Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), Sutlej JalVidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) and Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL) to come up with an ‘Ultra Mega Solar Project’ in Rajasthan. The parties involved have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the formation of a Joint Venture Company (JVC) for setting up of a Ultra Mega Solar Power Project (UMSPP) with a cumulative capacity of 4,000 MW in phases at Sambhar in Rajasthan on build, own and operate basis.
BHEL plans to implement 1,000 MW of the UMSPP at Sambhar in the first phase and the remaining capacity in the subsequent phases. This is an initiative of Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Industries (HI&PE), Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Ministry of Power (MoP).
According to the MoU, BHEL will supply the photo-voltaic (PV) modules for the first phase (i.e. 1,000 MW) and will also have the right of first refusal for cells and modules for subsequent phases (i.e. 3,000 MW) of the project at Sambhar and other projects. However, SECI will sign the power purchase agreement (PPA), SSL will provide the land with all clearances, POWERGRID will evacuate power, SJVNL will assist in Project management, and REIL will do the operation and maintenance (O&M).
All modules required during the Phase-I implementation (i.e. 1,000 MW) of the project at Sambhar will be for supply by BHEL on nomination basis subject to the manufacturing capacity of BHEL at that point of time. Besides, BHEL will also have the right of first refusal for supply of solar PV cells and modules during the subsequent phases (i.e. 3,000 MW) of the project, and other projects developed by the JVC.
The project is likely to be completed by 7 to 8 years from the date of all the approvals and clearances.
This information was given today by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to Lok Sabha question.
