RAIPUR: The PEKB becomes the first coal mine in Chhattisgarh to operate entirely on solar energy, achieving complete energy self-reliance, said RRVUNL spokesperson.
PEKB is a crucial source of coal for electricity generation for nearly 80 million consumers in Rajasthan. The bhoomi pujan to kickstart the construction of the solar plant was performed by the Rajasthan energy minister, Heeralal Nagar in June last year.
Developed by Mundra Solar PV Limited, a subsidiary of Adani Green Energy Ltd, the 9 MW solar facility set up within the mining area is expected to reduce nearly 400,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over the next 25 years, comparable to planting 2.5 million trees, the spokesperson added.
The solar facility was inaugurated by Rajesh Agrawal, MLA from Ambikapur.
Spread across approximately 30 acres of reclaimed land within the mine premises, the plant stands as an inspiring milestone in the use of renewable energy in the mining sector. The development contract for the mine was awarded to Adani Enterprises through a competitive bidding process by the Rajasthan government.
Environmentalists believe the initiative on the first solar-powered coal mine is a meaningful contribution toward both energy security and environmental conservation.
On May 10, the country’s first hydrogen fuel cell truck to promote cleaner transportation for mining logistics has been deployed at the Chhattisgarh government’s coal block by Adani Enterprises. Each truck, equipped with smart technology and three hydrogen tanks, can carry up to 40 tons of cargo over a 200-kilometre range.