The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) limited Ramagundam, which is generating 2600 MW of thermal power, has set a new milestone in tapping the non-conventional energy sources of solar power.
Though, the NTPC had launched the first solar power plant in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh of 5 MWs capacity in 2013, the second biggest solar power plant was established in NTPC Ramagundam with 10 MW (photo voltaic) capacity on a sprawling 52.41 acres of land at a cost of Rs 88.49 crore and it was commissioned on January 29, 2014. Within one year of commissioning of the 10 MW solar power plant, it had generated 12.68 million units of power.
Carbon emissions
Initially, the solar power generation was at a slow pace of 3 MW and later it picked up to 7 MW and the power generated was transmitted to the central grid.
“We are sure of generating 14 million units of solar power per annum from the 10 MW of photo voltaic solar power plant in Ramagundam and reduce the usage of more than 14,000 tonnes of coal and emission of carbon,” the NTPC sources.
The NTPC had taken up the solar power plants with a mission to conserve the nature and reduce pollution.
Accordingly, the NTPC Ramagundam is planning to start the second phase of 15 MW solar power plant very soon. Besides, the authorities were also examining the setting up of another 100 MWs solar power plants in the Ramagundam region where the temperature is always very high in Karimnagar district.
Sources said that they would soon take up the second phase of 15 MW of solar power plant in its 40 acres land adjoining the existing 10 MW of solar power plant. They said that the solar power plant was more viable and it would start power generation very soon when compared to the thermal power project.
