National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited has put into operation the first part of the 20 MW Gandhar Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Project in Gandhar, Gujarat, marking yet another breakthrough in the field of solar energy.
During a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges, the NTPC announced the successful commissioning of the first phase capacity of 10 megawatts of the 20 MW Gandhar Solar PV Project. Solar PV is a type of renewable energy project in which sunlight is converted directly into electricity using photovoltaics technology. At the appropriate voltage level, it can be connected to the nearest substation.
About Gandhar Solar project
The Gandhar Solar PV project is one of the 21 solar projects of NTPC, with another project in Kawas, Gujarat. The remaining 19 projects are spread across the geographical stretch of the nation, covering the states of Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, and the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Island.
Gandhar Solar PV Park is a ground-mounted solar project and is currently being developed by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The project is expected to be completed at an estimated cost of $21.006 million.
Benefits of the project
With the completion of the first phase of the Gandhar PV project, NTPC’s standalone installed and commercial capacity has increased to 55,099 MW, while its group installed and commercial capacity has increased to 69,464 MW.
Beginning of the first part of the Gandhar Project
According to the NTPC statement, the first part capacity of 10 MW out of 20 MW Gandhar Solar PV Project came into effect on August 23, 2022. With the new instalment, the NTPC has made its fourth most successful renewable energy project commissioned in August between August 5 to 22. These projects include Jaisalmer (48.8 MW) and Bikaner (250 MW) in Rajasthan, Kawas (21 MW) and Gandhar (10 MW) in Gujarat.
NTPC’s total power generation capacity
Currently, NTPC has a commissioned capacity of 2,104 MW of renewable energy projects under its capacity addition. These include 21 solar, one wind and one small hydro project. These comprise 21 solar projects, one wind and one minor hydro project. Out of the 23 commissioned projects, 11 are under implementation, adding a capacity of 1295.52 MW of renewable energy to NTPC’s portfolio.
NTPC, India’s largest power utility, is taking various steps to make its energy portfolio greener by adding significant capacity of Renewable Energy sources. It is planning to become a 130 GW company by 2032, including 60 GW capacity through Renewable Energy sources, which constitute nearly 45 per cent of its overall power generation capacity.