Delhi to repurpose Indraprastha power station as solar project

Indraprastha_Power_Plant

The government of Delhi plans to repurpose the inoperative Indraprastha power station to a solar power plant. A 5 megawatt project is proposed to be set up on the space and the output will be used to meet the power requirements of Delhi Secretariat, among other things.

Indraprastha thermal power station (240 MW) was closed in 2010 after nearly four decades of operation, putting an end to pollution in the locality.

According to an Economic Times report, Delhi is in advanced discussions with the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for development of the project.

ET also reports that the central government will be supporting the Delhi government to set up the project.

At least 1 megawatt capacity of the solar power project is expected to be commissioned in time for the India-Africa summit in October. An MNRE official has told ET that 1 megawatt should be adequate to meet power requirements of Delhi Secretariat. The remaining 4 MW units will be set up later through an open tender system.

The Delhi government is soon expected to sign a power purchase agreement with SECI for the purpose. The Aam Aadmi Party government currently in power in Delhi has clean energy as one of its key commitments to the people, and the project is part of fulfillment of the pledge.

Ajith Kumar S

[email protected]