Coal India to Develop ₹2,831-Crore Solar Power Plant in Uttar Pradesh.

State-owned Coal India Ltd. (CIL) has received a Letter of Award (LoA) for setting up a 600-MW solar power plant in Uttar Pradesh at an estimated project cost of ₹2,831 crore.

In a regulatory filing, the company said the contract has been awarded by Bundelkhand Saur Urja Ltd., a joint venture between NHPC Ltd. and the Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), for developing the project at the Jalaun Solar Park.

The 600-MW project, comprising two units of 300 MW each, is to be completed within 18 months from the signing of the power purchase agreement (PPA), the filing said.

Coal India Chairman and Managing Director B. Sairam had earlier said the company had emerged as the successful bidder for the Jalaun solar project as part of its strategy to diversify into renewable energy. Speaking to businessline in May, he said the company had around 524 MW of solar projects under execution as it expands its clean energy portfolio.

The project marks another step in Coal India's efforts to strengthen its presence in the renewable energy sector while complementing its core coal mining business.