Private players keen on setting up solar power plants in MP: official

Mumbai: With Madhya Pradesh emerging as a solar power hub, private developers including Tata Power are keen on setting up such projects in the state, a senior state government official said on November 20.

Madhya Pradesh currently has an operational capacity of 356 MW of solar power from 114 projects and expects to reach 700 MW this fiscal. "Various public and private sector firms are coming forward to set up solar projects in the state. Tata Power is also planning to set up around 240 MW solar project here," Madhya Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary for New and Renewable Energy SR Mohanty told reporters on the sidelines of Intersolar India summit here.

Currently, 36 projects with a total capacity of 696 MW are under various stages of implementation and out of these, seven are under the Centre's National Solar Mission, he said. Meanwhile, Tata Power has roped in the US-based solar power solutions provider SunEdison for implementing the project.

"SunEdison will be implementing the project for Tata Power. SunEdison will also bring in the funds required for setting up the project," an official said here on the condition of anonymity. However, when contacted, Tata Power in a statement said, "We have requested the Madhya Pradesh government to provide us land for establishing large solar facility. If that's granted, we would be keen to pursue solar plant in MP."

Meanwhile, SunEdison is also setting up another 300 MW project in the state, Mohanty said. A 750 MW solar ultra mega project is also planned in the state, while National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has decided to set up 750 MW (250x3) plant here.