Tata Power Solar Commissions 3 MW Solar Power Plant at Noamundi

The 3 MW Solar Power Plant is the first solar plant will help in reducing CO2 emission by about 3000 tonnes per annum.

With due consideration towards Tata Steel’s initiatives towards reducing carbon footprint, a 3 MW Solar PV Power Plant has been commissioned at Noamundi. This is the 1st Solar Power Plant in any iron ore mine in the country. The project, executed by Tata Power Solar will help in reducing CO2 emission by about 3000 tonnes per annum.

The 3 MW Solar Power Plant was jointly inaugurated by Mr T V Narendran, Managing Director, Tata Steel India & SEA along with Mr Ashish Khanna, Executive Director & CEO., Tata Power Solar and Mr Sanjeev Mehra, Managing Director, Tata Power Trading Company, in the presence of Mr Rajeev Singhal, Vice President (Raw Materials), Tata Steel, Mr Pankaj Satija, General Manager (Ore Mines & Quarries), Tata Steel and other senior officials of the company.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Narendran expressed pride and happiness on the occasion of inauguration of the 3 MW Solar Power Plant, calling it a major achievement for Tata Steel. Reiterating Tata Steel`s commitment to clean energy, Mr Narendran said: “We have constantly looked at opportunities to exploit renewable energy sources. This is yet another milestone in our quest to become a sustainability driven company, committed to exploring clean energy solutions. Renewable energy is the best way of mitigating the impact of climate change.”

Set up at a cost of Rs 35 crore, the initiative is aimed at addressing climate change issues and other demands on natural resources for the Company`s captive use around its mining locations. Synergy between three Tata companies, namely, Tata Steel, Tata Power Solar and Tata Power Trading Company was instrumental in shaping the project into reality. With Tata Steel as the sole buyer of all electricity at a contracted tariff, this partnership demonstrates Tata Steel`s commitment to climate action and voice support for supporting a strong outcome at the UN Climate Change Conference Paris 2015 (COP 21).

Highlighting the importance of the project, Mr Khanna said: “We are very glad to execute this project as it represents a huge step towards bringing the sun’s clean, sustainable energy as a part of a hybrid system which has grid power as well as fossil fuel as an option. This project epitomises new technologies for a sustainable and continuous power requirements and such plants demonstrate how energy needs of the manufacturing sector can be met through clean and renewable sources like solar and has the potential to take usage of solar energy to a new heights.”

Talking about the partnership with Tata Steel, Mr Mehra said:  “We are pleased to have partnered with Tata Steel on this strategic asset investment. Such unique Hybrid Solar Power Plant would help in providing reliable and consistent power supply to the industry. Moreover, it helps in contributing towards Tata Power Group vision of increasing footprints in the renewable sector.”

Solar modules convert the solar radiation into electricity which is converted through inverters to AC power at suitable voltage and then fed to the utility grid with net metering facility for accounting of the solar electricity. In case of complete outage of grid, the solar plant has the capability to synchronize with existing DG bus at processing plant Noamundi and continue operation.

The plant covers 19 acres of land at an elevated reclaimed mining hill with ample undulations and a very rocky terrain. Solar lights have been used for boundary and area lighting around the solar plant. The selected site has a potential of 4.5 MW solar power generation.

A rain water harvesting system has been set-up to collect all surface run-off from rains and module cleaning activities to serve as make-up water and minimize module cleaning water requirement. Horticulture has been planned under the solar panels that will add to the aesthetic value and will reduce cleaning water requirement by binding the loose top soil.

Tata Steel has completed a vital milestone in its quest to becoming a sustainability driven company, committed to exploring clean energy solutions as a major step towards energy security problems in India.