Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd. (PGVCL) has taken a significant step towards bolstering renewable energy infrastructure by allocating 479 MW of solar projects to multiple developers. This initiative falls under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Uthan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM) program, aimed at ensuring energy security for farmers across India.
These projects, tendered under Component C of the PM KUSUM program, focus on feeder-level solarization and are slated to be operational by the end of 2024. A total of 170 locations across Gujarat will benefit from this endeavor, with developers such as Onix Renewable, Indian Infrastructure and Project India, WAA Solar, Raghuvir Avenues, and GreenBloom Energy leading the charge.
Leading the pack, Onix Renewable secures 60 locations totaling 187.4 MW, followed by Indian Infrastructure and Project India covering 12 locations with 47.5 MW. WAA Solar and Raghuvir Avenues will handle 14 and 11 locations respectively, contributing significantly to the solar capacity. Powertrac Industries, Kutch Salt & Allied Industries, Friends Impex, Enersan Cleantech, GreenBloom Energy, and Oswal Salt & Chemical Industries are also among the developers involved in this initiative.
The quoted tariffs for these projects range from ₹2.87/kWh to ₹3.00/kWh, ensuring competitive pricing for solar power. Power purchase agreements for these projects have been successfully inked with PGVCL, marking a crucial milestone in Gujarat’s renewable energy journey.
The PM-KUSUM Scheme not only aims to empower farmers by enabling them to solarize their agriculture pumps but also aligns with India’s commitment to increase the share of non-fossil-fuel sources in the country’s energy mix. This initiative is in line with India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), which aim to increase the share of installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil-fuel sources to 40 percent by 2030.
Under Component C of the PM-KUSUM Scheme, individual farmers with grid-connected agriculture pumps will receive support to solarize their pumps. This will enable farmers to meet their irrigation needs using solar power, with any excess energy generated being sold to DISCOMs at predetermined tariffs.
Through these concerted efforts, PGVCL and associated developers are not only fostering sustainable energy practices but also empowering farmers to contribute to India’s renewable energy transition.
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