South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), subsidiary of Coal India Limited announced that it will be developing rooftop and ground mounted solar power projects with capacities of 600 MW in the coming years. The initiative is in line with the company’s strategy to expand and diversify its business and achieve the “net zero energy” goal. Some of these projects will be implemented as per the renewable energy service company model and others on the basis of build-own-operate model.
Solar power projects with capacities more than 180 MW are already in various phases of development in the operational areas of SECL across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. It has recently commissioned rooftop solar projects of 580 kWp capacity in Johilla, Jamuna-Kotma and Kusmunda Areas.
The commissioned capacity is 280 kWp in the Johilla area. Solar panels have been installed at the administrative building GM office, SECL-run Kendriya Vidyalaya, regional hospital and at the area’s guesthouse. The project will generate about 420,000 units of electricity saving about Rs 21 lakh annually in power expenditure.
The largest two solar projects under implementation are of 40 MW capacity each. A 40 MW ground mounted, grid connected solar PV plant is being developed on company’s own land in Bhatgaon and Bishrampur areas located in Chattisgarh’s Surajpur district. The project is at execution stage and is likely to be commissioned during this year. The management is also working on a project report for installation of another 40 MW ground mounted solar PV plant in Johilla area in Madhya Pradesh. SECL has also floated a tender for a 4 MW rooftop solar project and installation feasibility of a floating solar power plant at Sharda OC mine in Sohagpur Area in Madhya Pradesh is also being explored.
