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Coal India Commissions 200 MW Khavda Solar Project
COAL & MINING

Coal India Commissions 200 MW Khavda Solar Project

Coal India Limited (Coal India) has commissioned 200 MW of solar capacity at the Khavda solar project in Gujarat in a 300 MW installation. The company received a commissioning certificate for the 200 MW on 15 July 2026 from the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA). The grid-connected capacity forms part of Coal India’s emphasis on utility-scale renewable installations.

The commissioning follows the striking off of its wholly owned subsidiary CIL Solar PV Limited from the Register of Companies as Coal India restructured its renewables approach. It follows findings by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) that highlighted slow progress in meeting renewable targets. Coal India had committed in 2015 to develop 1,000 MW of renewable capacity by March 2019 to reduce annual energy charges by Rs 555 mn, and the mandate was expanded in 2017 to deliver 3,000 MW by 2024.

Progress lagged and by December 2024 Coal India had installed only 122 MW, representing 4.08 per cent of the three GW target, with most projects deferred into 2027-28. For a company with more than 200,000 employees, extensive land holdings across 83 mining areas and a substantial captive power consumption base, the delays underlined execution challenges. The 200 MW Khavda commissioning therefore represents a notable step towards reviving its clean energy expansion plans.

In a separate development Coal India secured a letter of award for a 600 MW (2×300 MW) project at Jalaun Solar Park in Uttar Pradesh at a tariff of Rs 2.73 per kWh, with an estimated investment of Rs 28.31 bn. The company intends to complete the project within 18 months of signing the power purchase agreement and has outlined next steps including signing the implementation support agreement, land rights usage agreement and depositing upfront solar park development charges. The Jalaun scheme forms part of the 1,200 MW Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited (BSUL) Jalaun Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park that has been progressing since its foundation stone was laid in 2024. These moves indicate renewed push to meet earlier commitments while managing execution constraints.

Coal India Limited (Coal India) has commissioned 200 MW of solar capacity at the Khavda solar project in Gujarat in a 300 MW installation. The company received a commissioning certificate for the 200 MW on 15 July 2026 from the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA). The grid-connected capacity forms part of Coal India’s emphasis on utility-scale renewable installations. The commissioning follows the striking off of its wholly owned subsidiary CIL Solar PV Limited from the Register of Companies as Coal India restructured its renewables approach. It follows findings by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) that highlighted slow progress in meeting renewable targets. Coal India had committed in 2015 to develop 1,000 MW of renewable capacity by March 2019 to reduce annual energy charges by Rs 555 mn, and the mandate was expanded in 2017 to deliver 3,000 MW by 2024. Progress lagged and by December 2024 Coal India had installed only 122 MW, representing 4.08 per cent of the three GW target, with most projects deferred into 2027-28. For a company with more than 200,000 employees, extensive land holdings across 83 mining areas and a substantial captive power consumption base, the delays underlined execution challenges. The 200 MW Khavda commissioning therefore represents a notable step towards reviving its clean energy expansion plans. In a separate development Coal India secured a letter of award for a 600 MW (2×300 MW) project at Jalaun Solar Park in Uttar Pradesh at a tariff of Rs 2.73 per kWh, with an estimated investment of Rs 28.31 bn. The company intends to complete the project within 18 months of signing the power purchase agreement and has outlined next steps including signing the implementation support agreement, land rights usage agreement and depositing upfront solar park development charges. The Jalaun scheme forms part of the 1,200 MW Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited (BSUL) Jalaun Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park that has been progressing since its foundation stone was laid in 2024. These moves indicate renewed push to meet earlier commitments while managing execution constraints.

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