Wednesday, August 28, 2013: Continuing with the trend last year, Punjab may miss out on meeting the solar renewable purchase obligation(RPO) for the year 2013-14. The state failed to meet the solar obligation last year as well. It is worth mentioning here that the situation is grave even after handing over the letters of intent to 26 developers for 250 MW solar power projects in July. The state functionaries opine that the projects based on these letters of intent are likely to be commissioned in the next financial year i.e. 2014-15.
The total installed capacity of solar photovoltaic power for Punjab is 10.5 MW. However, the state required the capacity of 72 MW in 2012-13 to meet its solar obligation. This capacity is increased to 167 MW in the current fiscal year. According to a Business Standard report, sources said, ” The private players, who were awarded letter of intent in July this year for developing 250 MW of solar power, are yet to sign power purchase agreement. They would probably sign it in September or October. Further, the players would take another 13-15 months for completion of the project after signing, hence the project would see the light of the day in November or December 2014. The current trend indicates that the state would miss the current fiscal target of adding an overall solar capacity of 167 MW.”
The director of the Punjab Energy Developing Agency(PEDA) has also been quoted saying that the projects are likely to commission by December next year. PEDA acts as a nodal agency for promotion and development of renewable energy programmes and projects in Punjab.
