Vikram Solar Commissions 140 MW Solar Project for NTPC in Uttar Pradesh

PC: Vikram Solar

NTPC Limited has informed the stock exchanges that it has commissioned a 140 MW Solar Project at Bilhaur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

PC: Vikram Solar

The Statement -“In line with the Corporate Disclosure requirements, we wish to inform that consequent upon successful commissioning and due approvals, 140 MW capacity Bilhaur Solar PV Project at Bilhaur, Uttar Pradesh, has been declared on Commercial Operation w.e.f. 18.01.2021.

With this, the commissioned capacity of Bilhaur Solar PV Project, NTPC and NTPC group has become 140 MW, 51310 MW and 63925 MW respectively and the commercial capacity has become 140 MW, 51310 MW and 63265 MW respectively.”

The Bilhaur project is spread over 700 acres of land in the region,  and the solar plant is expected to meet the electricity demand of the area. The project is part of NTPC plans to install 225 MW solar plants in Uttar Pradesh.

Vikram Solar had been given the mandate to set up the project, through its own EPC division. The project has been completed quite close to its planned deadline of September 2020, demonstrating the relatively lesser impact of the Covid pandemic on solar construction.

Saibaba Vutukuri, Chief Executive Officer, Vikram Solar said, “We at Vikram Solar, are proud to associate with NTPC for this prestigious project in its mission to support India’s transition towards green energy. With this project, we reiterate our commitment to providing innovative, superior quality and performance-based solutions to our customers to accelerate solar adoption in India. The completion of this project is a testament to the diligence and enthusiasm of our on-ground team who completed the project well ahead of the deadline despite multiple logistical challenges in 2020.”

Interestingly, Bilhaur was to be the site for a 1200  MW thermal power plant by NTPC originally, a plan that was shelved in favour of the solar project in 2015. A clear indication of the shift in direction of India’s energy plans.

Vikram solar itself will hit the 1 GW mark for solar installations through its EPC division.

For Indian solar in 2021, we have highlighted how PSU firms might take the lead for some time in commissioning and awarding solar projects for a while, while the government works out a way to make the rest of the power sector adapt to the new demands of the times.

(Updated January 29, 2021)