Work Starts On 1.5 GW PV In Madhya Pradesh

• Solar Power Park Developer RUMSL in Madhya Pradesh has begun work on three solar power projects with 1.5 GW of cumulative capacity
• These projects will be established in Agar, Shajapur and Neemuch districts with individual capacities of 550 MW, 500 MW and 450 MW
• In September 2018, it issued a request for proposal seeking consultancy services to carry out environmental and social impact assessment for the said projects
• The World Bank has pledged its financial support for the three solar power parks

The World Bank is putting its financial support forward for three solar power parks with an aggregate capacity of 1.5 GW in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Solar Power Park Developer (SPPD) Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Ltd. (RUMSL) is working on the three parks with an individual capacity of 550 MW, 500 MW and 450 MW and will be located in Agar, Shajapur and Neemuch districts, respectively.

RUMSL is a JV between the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUNL). In July 2018, it commissioned the 750 MW Rewa Ultra Mega solar power plant with financial support coming from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, which shelled out $100 million, with $25 million being used for transmission infrastructure development (see 750 MW Rewa Project Energized In India).

In September 2018, it issued a request for proposal (RFP) to hire the services of a consultant to conduct environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) for three solar parks. The scope of work included assessing internal evacuation infrastructure and associated transmission lines. The agency has already completed a baseline study for the parks, but it does not cover transmission lines, or key environmental and social aspects.

RUMSL expects the three solar parks to cover a land area of around 3,300 hectares. According to Free Press Journal, RUMSL will hold a road show to launch the bidding process for the 1.5 GW project capacity on the last day of 2^nd Global RE-Invest on October 5, 2018. It will also sign a term sheet with Indian Railways and Railways Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL) to procure 23% of clean power from the project with remaining to be procured by the Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMCL).

Free Press Journal quoted Manu Srivastava, Principal Secretary of the state New and Renewable Energy Department, as saying that the idea is to mobilize private investment of about INR 63.3 billion ($860 million) for these projects.

In August 2017, SECI had launched a DCR PV tender on behalf of Coal India for 200 MW grid connected solar PV plant in Neemuch-Mandsaur Solar Park (see 200 MW DCR PV Tender For Madhya Pradesh).