"PM Modi to Inaugurate Foundation Stone Ceremony for NLC's 300 MW Solar Power Plant in Rajasthan"

In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to virtually lay the foundation stone for a 300 MW solar power plant in Rajasthan today, as announced by an official statement from the Ministry of Coal.

The project, slated to be established with an investment exceeding Rs 1,756 crore, aims to ensure accessible and affordable power supply to various government entities. NLC India Limited, a prominent Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Coal, is spearheading the initiative in Barsingsar, located in Rajasthan's Bikaner district, under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy's CPSE Scheme.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, including high-efficiency bifacial modules manufactured in India, the solar project is a testament to India's commitment to self-reliance, echoing the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative championed by Prime Minister Modi.

The electricity generated by the plant will be transmitted through pre-existing power transmission lines of the Barsingsar Thermal Power Station, with a projected annual production of approximately 750 million units of green power. This is estimated to offset carbon dioxide emissions by about 18,000 million metric tonnes over the plant's lifetime.

The power usage agreement for the project has been finalized with Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited at a competitive tariff of Rs 2.52 per unit for the next 25 years, as per the official release.

With an expected commissioning date of September 2024, the project holds the potential to create job opportunities for around 600 individuals indirectly during the project phase and 100 personnel during the operations & maintenance phase, the statement added.

Moreover, the project is poised to enable Rajasthan to meet its renewable purchase obligation while contributing significantly to the nation's pursuit of a net-zero future.

NLCIL, known for operating the 250 MW Barsingsar Thermal Power Station (BTPS), plays a crucial role in providing cost-effective electricity to the state of Rajasthan. The company secured a 300 MW solar project capacity in the CPSE Scheme Phase-II Tranche-III, facilitated by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) through competitive bidding.

TOI