Module manufacturer and EPC contractor Vikram Solar has announced that its 140 MW solar plant for state-owned power producer National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) in the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh is now operational. The plant, situated at Bilhaur in the Kanpur district, is spread across 700 acres and includes a 33/132 kV switchyard.
The plant—the largest-capacity solar plant commissioned so far in Uttar Pradesh—is estimated to generate 319 million units of electricity per year and power 1,45,662 houses per year.
The plant was completed well ahead of the scheduled date despite the pandemic-led disruptions.
On this occasion, Saibaba Vutukuri, Chief Executive Officer, Vikram Solar, said, “We at Vikram Solar, are proud to associate with NTPC for this prestigious project in its mission to support India’s transition towards green energy. With this project, we reiterate our commitment to providing innovative, superior quality, and performance-based solutions to our customers to accelerate solar adoption in India.
“The completion of this project is a testament to the diligence and enthusiasm of our on-ground team, which completed the project well ahead of the deadline despite multiple logistical challenges in 2020.”
Venkat Muvvala, head of EPC, added, “We appreciate NTPC for its excellent support and co-operation from all quarters, to reach this important milestone. NTPC is one of our largest clients with a portfolio of commissioned and under-construction projects totaling 708 MW. Our continued association with an esteemed client like NTPC is a testament to our clients’ trust in our products and execution capabilities.”
NTPC has developed the project after winning a competitive bid from Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency. Vikram Solar Limited was subsequently awarded the project on a turnkey basis for EPC.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
India is now doing great in RE energy generation, but this not enough. We need to assess our weaknesses based on our previous experiences. We have been dependent on other countries whether it was finished product or manufacturing technologies or many a times raw materials. This has led to we are still developing but not developed. One major responsible reason has been was it Government or Corporate, almost no investment has been done for Research and development means we think for a short period and not inserted for future technologies.
India is a country which has a pool of talent in almost all the fields which gets migrated and do a great job abroad. There is a great need to harness this potential as seen recently in Pharma sector or space technologies. Thus for Development of new technologies in RE Sector, India need to integrate Solar Power Projects with Research and development so that soon India may become exporter of technology rather than importer.
To achieve this, Conditions may be kept like RE Project Developer have to allocate a certain percentage of Project cost towards Research and development which may be invest in Project premises itself. Side by side rope in young talents from premier institutes with free hand. Such conditions may be made mandatory conditions for declaring COD of the Project or tariff billings by project developers.