PGVCL Allocates 479 MW Capacity Solar Projects Under PM KUSUM-C

PGVCL Allocates 479 MW Capacity Solar Projects Under PM KUSUM-C

Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd has allocated 479 MW solar projects to several developers under component C of the PM Kusum programme. The awarded projects are expected to be operational by the end of December 2024. The highest capacity was allocated to Onix Renewable followed by Indian Infrastructure and Project India.

The tariffs that were quoted ranged from Rs 2.87/kWh to Rs 3/kWh. The other firms that got the project included WAA Solar, Raghuvir Avenues, Powertrac Industries, The Kutch Salt and Allied Industries, Friends Impex, GreenBloom Energy, Enersan Cleantech, Oswal Salt and Chemical Industries among others. The projects have been allocated to 170 locations in Gujarat.

Onix Renewable Energy has been awarded 187.4 MW while Indian Infrastructure and Project India and WAA Solar were awarded 47.5 MW each. Along with that, Raghuvir Avenues has got 33.5 MW while Powertrac Industries has got 27.1 MW. GreenBloom Energy has been awarded 8 MW while Enersan Cleantech has got 7 MW capacity. 83.7 MW has been awarded to other sundry developers.

These projects fall under Component C of the PM-KUSUM scheme, which focuses on feeder-level solarisation. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, launched the PM-KUSUM-C program intending to solarise current grid-connected agricultural pumps. Installing solar PV allows farmers with grid-connected pumps to increase their pump capacity in KW. Moreover, Water Users Associations use grid-connected pumps (WUA). The farmer will be able to use the generated solar power to meet the irrigation needs and the excess solar power will be sold to DISCOMs. CFA of 30% of the benchmark cost or the tender cost, whichever is lower, of the solar PV component will be provided. The State Government will give at least a subsidy of 30%, and the remaining 40% will be provided by the farmer. Bank finance can be availed by the farmer, so the farmer has to initially pay only 10% of the cost and the remaining up to 30% of the cost as a loan.