Tuesday, May 28, 2013: Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power utility as part of its sustainability initiative is committed to generating 20-25% of its total generation capacity from clean energy sources. In line with its philosophy, Tata Power plans to add 30-50 MW of solar power and 150-200 MW of wind energy in India every year. Tata Power’s total investment in solar and wind energy so far is Rs. 2393 crore.
The total generation from the solar has touched 49.83 MUs and from wind projects has touched 796 MU’s till 31st March 2013. Tata Power’s generation through clean sources in India such as hydro, wind and solar today stands at 873 MW.
The Company is one of the leading solar power companies with a total operational capacity of 28 MW+. This includes 25 MW Mithapur Project, Gujarat, 3 MW at Mulshi, Maharashtra, and some rooftop solar installations.
Tata Power’s Mithapur project is one of the largest of its kind in the country and has been developed through its 100% subsidiary, ‘Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited’ that has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited. The Mithapur solar power plant uses the modular, proven, and widely deployed Crystalline Silicon Photo-Voltaic Technology to maximize power generation. The project helps in reducing an annual average of 37,696 tons of Carbon Dioxide, by producing 39,597 MWh per year (average) equivalent amount of clean energy. The Company is also developing a 28.8 MW of solar plant near Satara in Maharashtra.
The Company is also one of the largest wind energy generators in the country with an installed capacity of 397 MW spread across five states viz. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Rajasthan. The Company has recently commissioned 21 MW wind project in Rajasthan.
It has three of its renewable energy projects registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) programme of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These projects include 50.4MW wind power project at Samana, 50.4 MW wind project at Khandke, Maharashtra, and 25MW solar project at Mithapur, Gujarat. Another wind farm project is at an advanced stage of approval with UNFCCC.
Speaking on Tata Power’s commitment to clean and green energy, Mr Anil Sardana, Managing Director, Tata Power said, “Our solar and wind energy assets are performing well and we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint through “clean and renewable energy” generation. Our aim is to have 20-25% of our generation portfolio from clean energy.”
In the international space, the Company’s renewable energy projects under development are – a 240 MW geothermal project in Indonesia being developed with consortium partners- Origin Energy, Australia and PT Supraco, Indonesia and South Africa JV with Exxaro called Cennergi which has been shortlisted as a preferred bidder for two wind projects of 234 MW – Amakhala 139 MW and Tsitsikamma 95 MW projects.
