SJVN has achieved the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of its 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project in Rajasthan, marking a major milestone in the company’s efforts to expand India’s renewable energy capacity.

Announcing the development, Bhupender Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director, SJVN, said the commissioning of the project reflects the organisation’s technical capability and coordinated execution. “This achievement highlights the dedication of SJVN’s employees, contractors and all stakeholders involved in delivering a project of this scale,” Gupta said.

The project is located in Bikaner district of Rajasthan and is being implemented through SJVN’s wholly owned subsidiary, SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL). In its first year of operation, the solar plant is expected to generate around 2,454.55 million units of electricity, with cumulative generation estimated at nearly 56,838 million units over a 25-year period. The maximum usage charge has been fixed at ₹2.57 per unit, supporting the availability of affordable green power. Electricity from the project will be supplied to Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

Ajay Kumar Sharma, Director (Personnel), SJVN, said the project has been developed on about 5,000 acres of outright-purchased land near Village Banderwala in Bikaner district, one of India’s highest solar-yield regions. He added that the commissioning contributes significantly to the Government of India’s target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Sipan Kumar Garg, Director (Finance), SJVN, said the project has been developed at a cost of ₹5,492 crore under the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) mode, using domestically manufactured solar photovoltaic cells and modules, in line with the Make in India initiative. The project is also expected to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 27,85,077 tonnes.

The foundation stone for the project was laid by President of India Droupadi Murmu on January 3, 2023. The project has been developed under the CPSU Scheme – Phase II, Tranche III, of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India.

News source: The Statesman