800 MW Solar power project proposal for West Bengal

As stated by a state minister, from a private investor West Bengal has received a proposal for 800 megawatt (MW) solar project with nearly an estimated investment of 3000 crores.

West Bengal’s Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said that a Power Purchasing Agreement will be made for the smooth execution of the project.

“We have received an offer for 800 MW solar power project in a single location from a private investor,” he said at ’10th Energy Conclave’ organized by CII.

Chattopadhyay, also further added that the investor was trying to get the PPA for the project before it proceeds further. As without PPA, bankers are not showing much interest in financing any power projects.

“They already have about 500 acres of land of their possession and have not asked for any assistance in acquiring more land,” the minister said.

Chattopadhyay additionally said there was “no scope” to connect this solar-powered venture with the proposed 1000 MW Turga pumped storage hydel programme in Purulia.

Due to unavailability of a contiguous large tract of land the plan to run the pumps through 1200 MW solar power plant was later canceled.

Owing to this, the subsidy from the clean energy fund was not received by the state for the project, he said.

In the interim, a state government authority said the state Urban Development Ministry is planning to introduce approach measures for electric vehicles’ charging stations.

West Bengal government is also planning to introduce 500 electric buses under the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles in India) phase II and tenders have been drifted for this.

West Bengal’s Government is on a way to adopt major clean and renewable energy. When other states will start taking this initiative??