Dec 8 2010
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) declared that it has short-listed a number of independent power producers (IPPs) under the initial stage of the National Solar Mission to carry out 77.8 MW solar photovoltaic projects.
IREDA, which comes under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), encourages, develops and assists in the implementation of renewable energy projects.
IREDA, which has planned for 100 MW rooftop solar developments under the first phase of the National Solar Mission, got proposals from over 330 solar project developing companies in July this year. IREDA has initially shortlisted 96 developers and ordered 67 projects to commence construction. The government agency is planning to choose a total number of 80 projects to complete the first stage of 100 MW solar program. Mr.Debashish Majumdar, IREDA’s Chairman and Managing Director, said that the 67 projects, which has been chosen for the program have commenced their construction activities. He mentioned that the top four states such as Rajasthan with a total of 12 MW, Punjab 8.5 MW, Haryana 8.8 MW and Andhra Pradesh with 10.5 MW have already commenced their projects, and are at various stages of implementation. He added that NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), a central government company, has been chosen to handle the 100 MW solar power projects. Majumdar indicated that the program, which runs on state initiatives has picked off very well in those states that offered lucrative power purchase tariffs with the mentioned time limit of IREDA.