Ladakh to house world's largest solar power project...

 

India is planning to build the world’s largest solar power project in the cold desert of Ladakh. To be built by the Union ministry of new and renewable energy, the project will be able to generate 5,000 megawatts of power, which will be the biggest in the country and the world. The biggest so far was to be built in Rajasthan with a capacity of generating 4,000 megawatt of solar power.

The new power project will be set up in Leh district which is at the altitude of 11562 feet and known as roof of the world. The project requires at least 20,000 acres of land .

“They (Union ministry of new and renewable energy) have asked for 20,000 acres of land where this project could be built. My job is to find out the land and rest of the things are to be done by the government of India,” Simrandeep Singh, district development commissioner of Leh, told.

The district administration of Leh is starting the process of identifying the suitable land within a month’s time. “We have not zeroed in on anything so far. We need a huge patch of land.  Let us see. It (process of identifying land) will be taken up in one month’s time,” he said.

Though no time line has been given, the power project once completed will not only meet the local demand but can make Jammu and Kashmir a power surplus state. Experts said surplus power could be sold to other states as well.
“India has 5000 megawatt hydro power projects. It will be the first solar power project with 5000 megawatt capacity,” said Singh.

Ladakh has a huge potential in tapping solar power. Vast patches of barren land surrounded by gigantic mountains make Leh a suitable place for setting up the solar power plants.

However the power project will take years or even decades to complete given the location disadvantage and climatic problems. “Once the project is complete, we may need a fresh transmission line for power supply and distribution,” said an expert.

Rigzin Spalbar, chief executive councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, however told that the project is just at a proposal stage and it will take another 20 years for completion.

“They are talking of generating 2030 megawatt (of solar power) in another 20 years. This is just a proposal so far,” he said.

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Centre plans 4 solar UMPPs, entails investment of Rs 90,000 cr...

 

The Centre has proposed four ultra mega solar power projects (UMPPs) with generation capacity ranging between 2,000 MW and 5,000 MW.

These projects are planned in Rajasthan (4000 MW), Gujarat (4,000 MW), Kargil (2,000 MW) and Ladakh (5,000 MW).

These projects to be developed in phases entail an investment of Rs 90,000 crore.

Tarun Kapoor, joint secretary, ministry of new and renewable energy told reporters at the sidelines of Inter Solar conference that the per megawatt capital cost for proposed UMPPs has been estimated at Rs 6 crore against the existing cost of Rs 7-7.5 crore while the per unit tariff at Rs 5.50.

''The UMPP in Rajasthan will be developed on engineering procurement and construction (EPC) basis.

Six public undertakings including BHEL (26%), Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (22%), PowerGrid Corporation, Hindustan Salt and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (16% each) and Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Ltd (3%) will form a joint venture company (JVC) to develop UMPP in Rajathan.

According to Kapoor, BHEL which will be a lead company in the proposed JVC, will manufacture solar panels needed for Rajasthan project.

Kapoor informed that the first phase of 1,000 MW of Rajasthan UMPP is expected to be operational in three years while the entire project in seven years. The land has already been identified. He said the power to be produced from Rajasthan UMPP will be sold to Solar Energy Corporation which will trade it to various distribution companies.

As far as Gujarat UMPP is concerned, it will be developed with five to six companies. However, Kapoor said the Centre has yet to finalise details in this regard. Further, a lot of private developers have desired to develop 1,000 MW to 3,000 MW on their own.

However, it won't be possible as the project will be tendered, he added. According to Kapoor, transmission is a major issue for the development of Kargil and Ladakh UMPPs.

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