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.

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.