Coal India to Install 1190 MW Solar Plant in Rajasthan

State-owned Coal India Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RVUN) for the development of 1190 MW solar plant in the state of Rajasthan. This initiative is part of Coal India’s diversification program for clean coal energy.

Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister for Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs, and Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, witnessed the signing of the MoU in Jaipur. Joshi stated during his speech that India has enough coal reserves to last for up to 50 years. The production of clean coal is the current focus, and initiatives are being taken in this area.

According to a formal statement issued by the Ministry of Coal, there are currently eight million tonnes of stocks accessible and the state government must seek creative solutions to remove transportation bottlenecks.

Joshi claimed that the rail or sea route is currently chosen for the transportation of coal to shorten the distance’s travel time. The Minister stated that measures are being taken to address the energy difficulties facing all of the states and that the Prime Minister’s vision for a New India will be realised once all states energy demands are met and developed.

The proposed project will be built in Rajasthan’s upcoming solar park, which has been approved under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (1190 MW solar plant).

Pramod Agrawal, Chairman, CIL, and Rajesh Kumar Sharma, CMD, Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUN), have signed an agreement to pave the way for this development. As part of its initiative for clean coal energy diversification, the project would support CIL’s pursuit of solar power generation. Aside from producing cleaner power, the project will start gradually and is anticipated to create jobs in the state.

A K Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India; Usha Sharma, Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan, and Bhanwar Singh Bhati, Minister of State for Power (Independent Charge), were also present on the occasion.