Solar power to rise in Bilhaur after NTPC’s thermal power plant stands rejected

New Delhi: State-run National Thermal Power Corporation's (NTPC) proposal to set up a 1,200 MW Super Thermal Power Project near Bilhaur Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, which has been in the pipeline since 2014, has been rejected. And in its place, a solar power plant is expected to come up, sources have said.

Thermal project was de-listed in 2015

According to a written response filed by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar in the Lok Sabha on Friday, the proposal submitted by state-run power generating company was de-listed on June 15, 2015.

A sunny proposal

According to officials, the decision to have a solar power plant instead of the coal-fired one is in line with the PSU's diversification strategy to pivot more towards renewable sources of energy. The decision comes as the government is targeting to generate 40 percent of the country's total energy mix from renewable sources.

Why was the thermal power project shelved?

In the response presented before the Lok Sabha, Javadekar said without elaborating, "The EAC (Expert Appraisal Committee) had sought certain information related to land use, drainage map, plan for not disturbing natural drainage pattern, ground water withdrawal permission, water and wastewater balance diagram and Flyash utilisation plan, for reconsideration. The proposal has been de-listed on June 15, 2015 as per the rules."