Captains Speak     

Published: April 30, 2024
Updated: April 30, 2024

SJVN Ltd.

Milestone in green hydrogen production

According to Ms Kapur, aligned with the national green hydrogen mission of the government of India, this green hydrogen pilot project aims to produce 14 kg of green hydrogen per day during its 8-hour operational window. Utilizing an alkaline electrolyser with a capacity of 20 Nm3/hour, the project will harness renewable energy from SJVN’s 1.31 MW solar power plant in Waghal, Shimla to power its operations.

At a conference call organized to discuss the December 2023 quarter performance of the company, Ms Kapur revealed that the company’s current installed capacity is 2,227 MW, with the addition of two projects taking the total number of projects to nine. In the recent past, SJVN has commissioned the 175 MW Jalaun solar project in Uttar Pradesh with a capacity to generate 160 million units of energy per annum. The power from this solar project is being sold to Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation. The company has also commissioned a 60 MW Naitwar Mori hydro project in Uttarakhand with a capacity to produce 337 million units of energy per annum.

SOLAR TARGET

According to Ms Kapur, SJVN is set to complete 1,475 megawatts of solar projects in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, as it looks to execute projects of 3,503 MW during the current fiscal. The company had 54,370 megawatts under its total renewable energy portfolio as of December 2023. The 3,503 MW projects are on top of those awarded by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

In the quarter ended March 2024, SJVN further added 240 megawatts of renewable energy projects. Three projects, namely the 50 MW solar power project in UP, the 100 MW Raghanesda solar project in Gujarat, and the 90 MW Omkareshwar floating solar project in MP, will be commissioned within this quarter.

The country’s largest hydro project, the 397 MW Jalaun hydro-electric project in Arunachal Pradesh, is being constructed by SJVN. As regards the progress of this hydroelectric project, Ms Kapur reveals that “our manpower has already joined the project site, the DPR has been revalidated, land acquisition and R&R awards finalized, and forest diversion cases are likely to be finalized soon. SJVN has been allotted 5,097 MW in a total of five projects in the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh.”

According to Ms Kapur, the government of India has approved the company’s proposals for formation of two joint ventures — one with Assam Power Distribution Company Limited for the execution of (initially) 1,000 MW renewable energy projects in Assam, and the other with Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO) for the execution of 5,000 MW of renewable energy projects.

ROOF SOLAR

Under the Pradhan Mantri Suryoday Yojana, 40 gigawatts of electricity will be added via rooftop solar by 2025- 2026. SJVN has risen as one of the key players among the CPSCs. SJVN has been allotted three states — Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Arunachal Pradesh. As envisaged in the scheme, 10 million beneficiaries will get 300 units of free electricity every month. This will result in savings per household of Rs 15,000-18,000 per annum. The subsidy has also been raised from 40% to 60% in the interim budget allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for rooftop solar schemes.

SJVN has been listed as one of the renewable energy implementation agencies by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to meet the 500 gigawatt target by 2030. As on date, solar projects of 2,368 MW have already been awarded to SJVN. Further tenders of 4,500 MW are under finalization and likely to be awarded soon. SJVN has a clear vision of installing a 25,000 MW portfolio in operation by 2030 and 50,000 MW by 2040. At the present rate, SJVN will not only achieve these targets but may surpass them. The company’s project portfolio stands at 54,370 megawatts.

WATER SPORTS

SJVN has also announced the signing of an MoU with THDC India Limited for the establishment of a high-performance water sports academy in Tehri, Uttarakhand. The agreement was formalized in New Delhi, with SJVN’s CMD Geeta Kapur and THDC’s Director (Personnel) Shallinder Singh present.

Ms Kapur highlighted that under the MoU, SJVN will extend financial support of Rs 1 crore to THDC for the creation of a state-of-the-art gymnasium as an essential component of the water sports academy. Alongside, the academy will feature modern training facilities equipped with advanced infrastructure, developed through collaboration among SJVN, THDC, ITBP, the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association, and the Olympic Association of Uttarakhand. Its primary focus will be on training national-level athletes for kayaking and canoeing competitions, both at the national and international levels.