India PV News Snippets: SECL, MNRE, Gensol, RUMSL

• SECL will install 40 MW solar power plant in Bhatgaon and Bishrampur coalfields
• Government plans to launch tenders for 4,000 MWh of battery storage capacity for renewables
• Gensol Engineering will develop a 9.73 MW ground mounted solar power project for an unidentified client
• RUMSL's 550 MW Agar Solar Park auction has been won by Avaada Energy and O2 Power, according to Mercom India Research

40 MW solar power capacity for SECL: Coal India Limited (CIL) subsidiary South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) will install 40 MW solar power capacity in the form of a ground mounted project set up in Bhatgaon and Bishrampur coalfields, to be grid connected. SECL hopes to bring down 60 kilotons of carbon emissions per annum with the help of this solar power plant. The project will be set up by Coal Lignite Urja Vikas Pvt. Ltd. (CLUVPL) which is a joint venture company of CIL and NLC India. It is expected to cost INR 1.49 billion ($20 million). SECL claims the per unit solar energy rate will be almost half of the present tariff it pays. Over the next 3 years, it plans to install 142 MW solar power capacity.

4,000 MWh battery storage tenders: The Minister for New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh has said his government plans to launch tenders for 4,000 MWh battery storage capacity, with a view to deal with variability issues associated with renewable energy generation. Speaking as a conference, he said the plan is to have 1,000 MWh of storage each for each of the 4 Regional Load Dispatch Centers (RLDCP) to help discoms store excess renewable energy produced during the day or night.

Gensol to set up 9.73 MW solar plant: Gensol Engineering Limited has secured an EPC contract to develop 9.73 MW grid connected ground mounted solar power plant from an unidentified client. The entire capacity will be set up at different factory locations of the client, with all work to be completed by December 15, 2021. Gensol estimates the project to cost INR 317.5 million ($4.26 million).

RUMSL auctions 550 MW solar capacity: Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL) has announced auction winners for its 550 MW Agar Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh, declaring Avaada Energy and O2 Power as winners. Mercom India Research reports that O2 Power will set up 350 MW for INR 2.444 ($0.032) per kWh, while Avaada Energy will build 200 MW capacity for INR 2.459 ($0.033) per kWh.