UPC-AC Energy Solar, the joint venture company of UPC Solar Asia Pacific and AC Energy Corporation (ACEN), commenced construction of their 300 MWac (420 MWp) Masaya Solar farm. Through their joint venture company, UPC-AC Energy Solar, they have built a total of 630 MWp across India to date.
The Masaya Solar farm project is located in the Khandwa District, State of Madhya Pradesh, set to produce 691 GWh of renewable energy per year while avoiding approximately 635,720 MT of CO2 emissions annually. The project will also create approximately 500 jobs during its construction stage. Once completed, the Masaya Solar farm will be UPC-AC Energy Solar’s third and largest solar project in India.
UPC-AC Energy Solar is in the process of securing a 20-year loan from the State Bank of India for the project which has an estimated project cost of USD 220 million under a 75:25 debt-to-equity financing scheme, with the JV supplying electricity at INR 2.71 per kWh fixed over a 25-year period under a power supply agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India.
“Working hand-in-hand with an extremely competent and enthusiastic team in India and beyond, I am confident that this project will stand the test of both time and budget in this challenging COVID scenario. India is one of the world’s largest consumers of energy and producers of renewable energy. We understand the country’s urgency to increase its production of renewables to help meet the demand and support the country’s progress.” said Pranab Kumar Sarmah, CEO of UPC-AC Energy Solar and co-founder of UPC Solar Asia Pacific. “This landmark development will be a significant addition to the country’s renewables capacity.”
Brian Caffyn, UPC Renewables Chairman said “I’m very proud of the team and this project showcases our core competencies from early stage development to commissioning of ultra-large projects”.
“We are delighted that our partnership with UPC Solar continues to bear fruit in India. The success of our maiden projects, both reaching operational status in Q2 2021 despite the tumultuous COVID-19 crisis, bodes well for the 420 MWp Masaya Solar project,” said Patrice Clausse, Head of ACEN’s International Group. “Though the pandemic continues to present challenges, we are confident that we will complete the construction of this solar development safely and at the earliest possible time, to contribute even more meaningfully to India’s renewable energy goals.”
Masaya Solar in India is the latest in UPC-AC Energy Solar’s string of initiatives to expand its solar energy footprint in India and the region and lead the charge in the renewables revolution.
