Tata Power, Tata Steel to develop 41MW solar projects in Jharkhand and Odisha

Tata Power and Tata Steel are joining forces to develop grid-connected solar projects with a combined capacity of 41MW in the Indian states of Jharkhand and Odisha.

The two Tata Group companies have inked a power purchase agreement (PPA) for a duration of 25 years for the said capacity.

Dr Praveer Sinha — CEO and MD of Tata Power said: “We are glad to collaborate with Tata Steel to help them reduce their carbon footprint and reaffirm the Tata Group’s commitment towards the adoption of clean energy. Tata Power and Tata Steel have been collaborating for a long time to meet the energy requirements through cleaner means.

“This blended solar PV project is yet another milestone in our shared vision of a better tomorrow and we look forward to working closely with them for covering all their other plants across the Country.”

The solar projects will be a mix of rooftop, floating, and ground mounted solar panels.

Tata Power has agreed to develop photovoltaic (PV) capacities for Tata Steel at Jamshedpur (21.97MW) in Jharkhand and Kalinganagar (19.22MW) in Odisha.

At Jamshedpur, Tata Power will develop rooftops PV with a capacity of 7.57MW. The company will also develop floating and ground mounted capacity with a combined capacity of 10.8MW and 3.6MW, respectively in the same city. The ground mounted PV in Jamshedpur will be installed at the Sonari Airport.

At Kalinganagar, the company will install 9.12MW rooftop PV capacities and 10.1MW of floating PV.

Overall, the solar projects in the two states are estimated to generate over 60.2 million kWh for the first year. During their lifetime of 25 years, the total energy generation will be over 1.49 billion kWh.

The solar projects will offset 45,210 tonnes of CO2 per year and over a million tonnes during its lifetime.

T V Narendran — CEO and MD of Tata Steel said: “At Tata Steel, sustainability has always been a core principle that is embedded in its business philosophy and is backed by a long-term, holistic vision of achieving identified targets. We have taken several definitive steps across the value chain to reinforce our sustainability credentials.

“In recent past, power generation from solar and non-conventional energy sources have gained momentum across our operating locations. We will continue with our pursuit of clean energy solutions and expand our renewable energy footprint.”