NHPC awards ISTS grid-connected solar PV projects of 1,600 MW

• NHPC shall purchase the power generated from the proposed ISTS- connected solar PV power project at tariffs of Rs 2.55 and 2.56 per unit

• The PSU also awarded the work for the execution of 1,500-metre Head Race Tunnel works for Parbati-II HE Project (Lot PB-2C), it said

New Delhi: NHPC Limited, a state-run hydropower company which has diversified its portfolio to include solar power business, has given Letter of Awards (LoA) to solar power developers for interstate transmission system (ISTS) grid-connected photovoltaic projects aggregating to 1,600 MW installed capacity. Previously, NHPC had successfully conducted an e-reverse auction for ISTS Grid-Connected Solar PV Project to be set up anywhere in India. As part of the LoA, NHPC shall purchase the power generated from the proposed ISTS- connected solar PV power project at tariffs of Rs 2.55 and 2.56 per unit, the PSU said in an official release on Wednesday.

NHPC awards work related to Parbati-II HE Project

In another development, NHPC awarded the work for the execution of 1,500-metre Head Race Tunnel works for Parbati-II HE Project (Lot PB-2C) to M/s Gammon Engineer and Contactors Pvt Ltd for a contract price of Rs 211.63 crore. The 800 MW Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project, located in Himachal Pradesh, is a run-of-the-river scheme proposed to harness the hydro potential of the river Parbati.

"NHPC has successfully completed awarding of the above-mentioned works amidst the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, following all guidelines laid down by the government and optimum use of available resources and manpower," the release said.

The backdrop

Just days ago, NHPC Limited's CMD (Chairman and Managing Director) AK Singh called on RK Mathur, the Lt Governor of Ladakh, at Jammu & Kashmir Bhawan in New Delhi to discuss the development of Hydro and Solar Power Projects in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh, hinting that NHPC Limited is looking at expanding its portfolio in the solar power sector. During the discussion, Singh intimated the Governor about NHPC projects through which it is trying to harness Hydro Power potential of Ladakh region by commissioning 45 MW Nimmo Bazgo in Leh and 44 MW Chutak Hydro Power Projects in Kargil.