THDC, Rajasthan Govt Sign Agreement to Develop 10,000 MW Solar Projects

THDC India Limited has signed an agreement in Rishikesh with Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RECL) for the development of large solar power projects with combined capacity of 10,000 MW in Rajasthan. With one of the highest solar irradiance in India, Rajasthan has been catching up aggressively in fresh solar capacity as well as planned capacity in recent months. THDC is a subsidiary of NTPC Limited while RECL is a public sector undertaking of Rajasthan Government.

The agreement is to build 5 solar parks of 2000 MW each in five different cities of Rajasthan. Though agreement doesn’t disclose the exact locations, reports say that the solar projects are expected to come up at Churu, Nagpur, Pali, Bikaner and Jaisalmer.

RK Vishnoi, Chairperson and Managing Director, THDC, said, “Once commissioned, the solar power project will yield an annual revenue of Rs 12,000 crore. This will help the country achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 – the target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Five solar projects will attract the highest investment of Rs 40,000 crore and the two PSUs will set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) as a joint venture for the power projects. Sanjay Kher, General Manager, Hybrid Energy Business, THDC, said, “The projects will be completed in phases by 2027.

“It’s a landmark initiative in the field of renewable energy. Rajasthan will provide all support and cooperation for it,” said Subodh Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary, Rajasthan Government. RECL says that the five large solar projects will boost the local economy of the state and raise socio-economic development.

In February, THDC had signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the Rajasthan Government in the presence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. The state government is supposed to provide land required for the solar projects and there will be direct and indirect generation of 10,000 employment opportunities.

THDC India Limited

THDC has a present capacity of 1587 MW through three hydro, two wind and one solar power plant. The CPSU wants to add 4351 MW by the end of 2024-25. It’s already developing a 2000MW solar park in Rajasthan and 1500 MW in Uttar Pradesh.

THDC is also involved in implementation of a green hydrogen project in line with the ‘National Green Hydrogen Mission.’ It says that green hydrogen is becoming a potential and clean source of energy and thus emerging as a future fuel.