State Begins Process for Ultra Mega Solar Power Project

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Monday asked all Collectors to identify suitable land for setting up 1,000 mw ultra mega solar power projects (UMSPPs).

The Government is in search of 5,000 acres of non-cultivable wasteland for establishment of UMSPPs and solar parks following assurance from the Centre for financial assistance for such projects.

Energy Secretary Suresh Mohapatra on Monday wrote to the Collectors to locate suitable land for implementation of the project. At least 500 acres of land in compact patch is required for generating 100 mw of solar power.

Earlier, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had asked the State Government to identify the sites and appoint a public sector undertaking (PSU) working in the field of power sector for setting up UMSPPs. As per the Ministry’s direction, any single solar power project with capacity exceeding 500 mw will be declared as UMSPP.

The parks have to be developed by the State Government or PSUs and if required, the State can go for a joint venture with Solar Energy Corporation of India. The PSU will be considered as the designated nodal agency for the project to be implemented in the State.

Meanwhile, the State Government has appointed Green Energy Development Corporation Ltd (GEDCOL), a fully owned subsidiary of Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd (OHPC), as the nodal agency for implementation of the projects.

While the land will be provided by the State Government, the implementing agency will develop basic infrastructure like road connectivity and water supply.

The grid connectivity will be provided through State Transmission Utility or Power Grid Corporation for which a part of Central assistance can be used, Mohapatra said. In a recent communication to the State Government, MNRE Joint Secretary Tarun Kapoor said the Ministry is in the process of formulating a scheme for providing financial assistance to UMSPPs.

The Ministry is also trying to arrange loans from multilateral/bilateral international lending agencies to cover the project cost.

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