Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to lay the foundation stone of NLC India’s (NLCIL) 300 megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Barsingsar of Bikaner district in Rajasthan on Friday. This initiative is part of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) CPSE Scheme, with the aim of providing affordable power supply to government entities, as per the Coal Ministry. The inauguration of the power plant will be conducted virtually by the Prime Minister.
NLCIL, which stands as the first CPSE to achieve a 1 gigawatt (GW) solar capacity milestone in the country, has secured a 300 MW solar project capacity in the CPSE Scheme Phase-II Tranche-III floated by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) through competitive bidding. Equipped with advanced technology, the solar project aligns with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative.
The resulting electricity generated will be transmitted through the pre-existing power transmission lines of Barsingsar Thermal Power Station (TPS), aiming to produce around 750 million units (MU) of green power annually, offsetting carbon dioxide emissions by around 18,000 tonnes over its lifetime. The project has also signed a power usage agreement with Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam (RVNL) at a competitive tariff of ₹2.52 per unit for the next 25 years.
Furthermore, the project is expected to be commissioned by September 2024, creating employment opportunities for around 600 individuals indirectly during the project phase and 100 personnel during the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) phase. In addition, this project will also help Rajasthan fulfill its Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPOs) and contribute to the nation’s journey towards achieving a Net Zero future. NLCIL currently operates the 250 MW Barsingsar Thermal Power Station (BTPS), utilizing environmentally friendly Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion technology.
The mine has also been awarded a prestigious Five Star Rating by the Coal Ministry. This ceremony is scheduled to take place tomorrow, February 15, 2024.
