South Eastern Coalfields wants to invest Rs 1,218 crore to build solar plants

12 Jul 2023 , 10:52 AM

The mining company SECL, based in Chhattisgarh, has planned to invest Rs 1,218 crore over the course of the financial year 2025–2026 in solar project development as part of its net zero obligations. 

One of the top three coal-producing subsidiaries of Coal India Ltd (CIL), which is part of the Ministry of Coal, is South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL), which has 67 blocks. CIL produced 703.21 MT in FY23, of which SECL contributed 167 MT.

‘SECL wants to run a net-zero energy business. In the upcoming years, SECL intends to build solar projects with a capacity of more than 600 MW and invest more than Rs 1,000 crore in renewable energy. The investments are a part of the business’ goal to grow and diversify in order to meet its net zero commitments, according to a statement from SECL.

According to SECL, two solar projects totalling 20 megawatts (MW) each are being built in Bhatgaon and Bishrampur, and a third project, with a capacity of 0.8 MW, is being built in the Chhattisgarh region’s Saraipali Korba. These projects would cost a total of Rs 180.71 crore.

The Sharda OC Sohagpur area in Madhya Pradesh will receive a 1.5 MW floating solar plant at a cost of Rs 9.84 crore. A 40 MW solar project with an estimated cost of Rs 286.51 crore is now having its complete project report approved.

At Johilla Phase-II, a 60 MW ground-mounted solar project is being built for Rs 420 crore, and a 46 MW project for Rs 322 crore is being built in Hasdeo.

SECL put into operation a 0.58 MW solar installation for Rs 2 million in FY23. A total of Rs 1,220 crore is the estimated cost of the projects that are in various stages of commissioning.

In addition, SECL intends to build 436 MW worth of solar projects under the RESCO/BOO (Build-Own-Operate) business models.

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