BHEL set record commissions 13Mw solar power plants

The Electronics Division of Bangalore-based Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has set a new record in its solar photovoltaic business in a single year, by commissioning 13 Mw of solar power plants in various parts of the country during the current financial year.

The solar power projects commissioned by the company during the year include a 3-mw grid connected solar power plant at Raichur in Karnataka, 5 Mw plant in Rajasthan, two plants of 2 Mw each in Maharashtra and over 1 Mw in Lakshadweep Islands.

BHEL recently commissioned the 3-Mw solar plant at Yapaldinni village near Raichur for Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), the company said in a press release.

The 5-Mw grid-connected solar power plant was commissioned for Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) at Rawra village near Phalodi, Rajasthan. The project was commissioned under the NVVN (NTPC's Vidyut Vyapar Nigam) programme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM).

Further, the two PV power plants of 2 Mw each were commissioned in November 2011 at Katol near Nagpur for Sepset Constructions Ltd and Citra Real Estate Ltd. These projects are were commissioned under Roof-top PV and Small Solar Power Generation Programme (RPSSGP) of IREDA under JNNSM.

Far away from the mainland, in the Coral Islands of Lakshadweep, BHEL is executing a 1.9-Mw order from the Lakshadweep Administration for augmentation and modernisation of existing solar power plants at various islands, of which 1.1 Mw has been commissioned. Of these island projects, the biggest diesel grid-interactive PV plant of India of 760 kW is already operational in the Island of Kavaratti since October 2011.  A 320 kW PV power plant at Andrott Island was commissioned in January 2012.

BHEL is also executing solar power projects of 7.5-Mw for various customers and they are in the final stages of commissionin