Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd, an arm of Coal India Limited, will set up a 50 MW AC (75 MW DC) solar power plant in the Sambalpur district of Odisha as it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2024. The plant, to be built with an investment of INR 301.92 crore, will be set up in Odisha for captive consumption of Mahanadi Coalfields through long-term open access.
Following the launch of a tender in August, Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd has selected a Chennai-based firm to build the PV project within 10 months.
Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd targets to install 182 MW of solar power by 2024 in its pursuit to become a net-zero energy company. Towards achieving that goal, it commissioned a 2 MWp solar plant in October 2014, which has been operational with an average performance ratio of 75%. To date, the plant has reduced 1,08,77,805 kg of carbon emission. In addition, 66 service buildings of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd have been identified for the installation of the rooftop solar plants.
