PEDA shortlists 4 companies to set up SPV Power Projects

Chandigarh, Apr 8 (UNI) With a view to set up Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Power Projects in MW scale in the state on Build, Own, Operate (BOO) basis, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has shortlisted four companies.

Informing this here today, Punjab Science and Technology Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said with a view to encourage the setting up of SPV Power Projects on BOO basis, PEDA has invited bids through tariff based competitive bidding route in the first Phase for creating a total capacity of 100 MW through solar photovoltaics.

PEDA has been able to get a combined project capacity of 17MW and after completing the bid evaluation process, allocation letters for setting up of the projects in the state have been issued to four shortlisted companies--Moser Baer, PQES Inc, India Bulls Electricity and Azure Power, he said.

These projects shall be completed and commissioned within a period of 630 days i.e. before December 2009 and power generated shall be fed into the PSEB grid.

''These projects being environment-friendly and pollution free should be eligible for Carbon Credits under CDM and shall lead the solar revolution in the country which would ultimately bring down the cost of solar power generation, create enhanced capacities and also build economies of scale in this sector,'' the Minister added.

''Punjab is the first state in the country to allocate the MW scale projects,'' he said.

The state has a major potential in generating power from solar energy as 330 days of clear sunshine with solar insolation between four-seven kwh/ Sq mtr is available, he added.

He informed that PEDA will soon invite expression of interest and offers for setting up a large scale solar thermal power project in Punjab.

UNI PS SG HT1510