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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 30: The Central Electricity Authority CEA has given clearance to an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle ISCC power project, which according to officials would be the first of its kind in the world.
The 140 MW ISCC project, to be located at Mathania in Rajasthan, would integrate non-conventional solar power generation with conventional combined cycle power generation. Out of the total plant capacity of 140 MW, the solar generation component will be of the order of 35 MW.
The addition of solar generation would save liquid fuel to the tune of 10,300 tonne per annum and also in the process reduce emission of carbon dioxide by 64.000 tonne per annum.
The cleared cost of the project is Rs 926.5 crore which includes the grant component of about Rs 425 crore. As this is an environment-friendly first demonstration project in the world of its kind, Global Environment Facility GEF, an affiliate of World Bank, and KFW Germany have sanctioned a grant of 45 million and 75 million Deutsche marks, respectively, the Indian government have also approved a grant of Rs 50 crore for this project. The grant elements make solar generation component virtually free of cost, as a result of which the cost of power generation from this project would remain comparable with that of conventional thermal power stations.
The project shall be executed through international competitive bidding route and it is expected that the assimilation of new technologies would take place through involvement of Indian engineers, suppliers and contractors during the execution of the project. The project has been promoted by Rajasthan State Power Corporation Ltd., an agency of the Rajasthan Government, which will be contributing Rs 50 crore towards by way of equity.
