NTPC building third solar power plant

Lessens risk of fuel shortages at its coal-fired plants.

NTPC, Ltd, India’s largest electricity generator, awarded the contract to build its 5 MW plant in the northern state of Haryana to Eversun Energy Pvt., Ltd. Enmas GP Power System Projects Ltd. will connect the solar power plant to the grid.

NTPC has completed a 5 MW solar plant in Uttar Pradesh state and another with a similar capacity in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It has an additional 85 MW under construction and plans to develop a further 1,000 MW of renewables by 2017.

NTPC said the plants will help broaden its generation mix to ensure long-run competitiveness and mitigate fuel risks.

NTPC has 41,000 MW of mostly coal-fired capacity. It has been forced to increase its purchases of expensive coal imports due to domestic fuel shortages.