State backed utility of India, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) will set up 50 MW solar plus storage capacity for Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. It has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state administration and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
The MoU follows on NTPC tenders, which were floated in July, to develop 18 MW of solar PV projects at the islands.
These solar power projects with battery energy storage will come up across the capital Port Blair. Andaman & Nicobar Islands are one of the seven union territories in India. The administration here is looking at phasing out the use of diesel generation sets with the help of solar power plants. In May 2016, public sector enterprise NLC was reported to have prepared an action plan to develop 50 MW PV capacity, divided into two projects of 20 MW and 30 MW (see 50 MW PV For Andaman & Nicobar). Out of this, 20 MW capacity is slated to have battery storage system, while 30 MW was to be linked with the Kalpong Hydro Power Station. Construction on both these plants has already started.
According to clean energy research firm Mercom Capital Group, the latest projects will be part of the 100 MW solar projects the islands were asked to build by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). According to Indian consultancy Mercom, the projects are expected to be commissioned by the end of fiscal year 2017-18.
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