Azure Power commissions photovoltaic solar energy plant in Rajasthan

Azure Power, pioneering independent power producer in the Indian solar power sector, has commissioned its third solar power plant in less than two years, at Kathauti village, Rajasthan today. This is the first 5MW solar PV power plant to be commissioned under the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Azure Power, in line with its strong engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) track record, has commissioned the plant (from PPA signing to construction) in a record time of 11 months.

In fact, all of Azure’s solar power plants (under Government of India’s GBI policy, Gujarat Government Policy and JNNSM migration scheme) have been completed well ahead of schedule, demonstrating leading EPC capabilities in the development, design and construction of solar power plants.

The 5MW power plant, set up under the Phase I Batch I of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), supplies power to the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd. The plant is expected to reduce carbon emissions of up to 5500 metric tonnes every year.

The project, spread over 40+ acres of wasteland, has also generated income for the community through local employment and has helped stimulate the local economy by utilizing innovative construction techniques. Azure Power has organized safety training programs for laborers at the plant and will also be conducting community awareness programs to help educate villagers about the benefits of solar power and related technology.

Aggressive player in India’s progressive solar power industry

Azure Power has a project under every solar policy in the country. India’s first megawatt scale power plant, the 2 MW plant in Awan, Punjab was among the first projects to be migrated to the National Solar Mission. The Azure Power project in Gujarat was the first MW scale solar power project under the Gujarat State Policy using non-recourse financing. Azure also holds 40 MW of allotted solar power capacity, the largest slice held by any solar power producer, of the total allocated 500 MW under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.

Speaking on this occasion, Inderpreet Wadhwa, CEO and Founder of Azure Power said, “With the commissioning of our third grid connected plant we have now demonstrated our strong engineering and construction capabilities in three different states in India. With the recent allocation of National solar mission projects, we have also shown our long-term commitment in driving down the prices of solar power in India, in line with the ambitions of the National Solar Mission. We are proud that Azure is delivering on its promise of affordable clean energy to Indian consumers. I personally look forward to solar power being produced on top of every roof in India.”