Kerala State Electricity Board, KSEB has shortlisted six Companies for developing Utility Scale Solar Through out the state.
Though Kerala has a good generation portfolio in Hydro - Renewable
source, it is severely lagging behind the neighboring states like Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka, in terms of non Hydro Renewable Projects. Kerala has
only 35MW of Wind Capacity compared to 7,134 MW of Wind
Capacity of Tamil Nadu as of Sept 2012 and even lesser Solar Portfolio.
To reduce this Gap Kerala Government had initiated a series of new
Solar Projects, including the ANERT 10,000 Solar Home Project (link).
According to top officials, KSEB has 750 MW of Solar Project under consideration for 2013-2014 time frame. Also KSEB Recently made public, it's plans by inviting proposals from Companies for Developing Utility Scale Solar Projects in the state, and of the 15 applicants who shown the expression of interest, six where selected, Yesterday during the meeting which was held between the top officials of KSEB and State Power Ministry. KSEB had shortlisted companies, who can provide 50MW and Above to the grid. State government even has a 330 MW Solar Project under consideration.
But still there are issues regarding the Cost/Unit Charges. Currently Kerala has a rate of Rs 2.54/Unit, which will be quite difficult for the Project Developers to successfully make Profit. Thus the Government is planning to conduct a meeting with the Shortlisted Developers to Finalize on the rate of Electricity, and within 10 days of the meeting Tenders will be accepted and final approval is expected to be given to the developers by end of January next year. Also the Project Developers will be given Opportunity to Utilize the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates, which they can trade in a later stage.
For More Info Contact: gprabhu@renewindians.com
