Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India will look at phasing out the use of diesel generation sets with solar power plants. The union territory will have 50 MW PV capacity coming up at Attam Pahar, South Andaman and Kishorie Nagar in North Andaman.
According to a report in the daily Millennium Post, a public sector enterprise in the business of mining and power generation Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. (NLC), has prepared an action plan for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The 50 MW capacity will be eligible to receive subsidies for 40% of the capital cost from the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
The projects established by NLC will have support from Andaman and Nicobar Administration. Land for the project has been identified in Attam Pahar, where 20 MW capacity will come up. The power plant will also have a battery energy storage system. Construction hast already started, the plant's foundation ceremony was held recently. The remaining 30 MW capacity in North Andaman will be linked with a pumped storage system of the Kalpong Hydro Power Station, using solar power to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper water reservoir in day time.
No details were available about the commissioning of these plants.
The NLC had proposed to set up the solar plants in February 2016 at an estimated cost of 370.6 billion INR ($5.51 million). In September 2015, NLC had established its first 10 MW solar power plant in the island archipelago.