NTPC Breaks Ground: First CPSU To Solicit Bids For Concentrated Solar Power Plant

In a first, India's largest power generator, NTPC Ltd is going to become the the first Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) to get into concentrated solar power systems.

The state-run power major has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from bidders to set up a grid-connected 50 MW concentrated solar power project (CSP) in India.

The project will also include a thermal energy storage system (TESS) for supplying green energy during the nighttime and peak hours.

CSP technologies use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto a receiver. The concentrated sunlight's energy heats a high-temperature fluid in the receiver, capable of powering utility-scale steam turbines and heating and cooling systems.

Globally, Concentrated Solar Power is a proven technology and integrating it with the TESS system could provide an innovative solution for supplying reliable renewable energy, even during peak demand and non-solar hours.

According to the tender document issued by NTPC's renewable arm, NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL), the prospective developer will build, own, and operate (B-O-O) the project.

The project will supply 50 MW of renewable energy, ensuring at least 70 per cent of the contracted capacity is available during 8 hours of peak demand and non-solar hours.

Meanwhile, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), another power sector CPSU, is also planning to launch a tender for a concentrated solar power project, with a capacity of 500 MW. However, SECI has not yet issued the tender, making NTPC the first CPSU to venture into concentrated solar power systems.