South Eastern Coalfield Ltd (SECL), has announced plans to set up solar projects with a total capacity of 600 MW. The company has allocated an investment of ₹1218 Crores for FY2025-26, for the same.
SECL is a mining company based out of Chhattisgarh and one of the top three subsidiaries of Coal India Limited (CIL). The green initiatives are part of the CIL’s ambitious plans to develop 3 GW of renewable energy capacity and achieve net zero status by 2026.
According to the official statement, the company is developing two plants of 20 MW each at Bhagoan and Bishrampur in Chhatisgarh. The projects are in the execution stage and will likely be completed within this financial year.
Another 0.8 MW solar project is being set up in the Saraipali Korba district of the state. These would be ground-mounted solar projects, and require an investment of over ₹180 crore.
A ground-mounted project of 40 MW is being set up in the Johilla Phase 2 district of Madhya Pradesh, at an investment of ₹400 crore.
In the area, the company has already commissioned a 280kWp rooftop solar project, under which, panels have been installed at the administrative building, SECI-run school, regional hospital, and guesthouse. The plant is expected to generate about 4,20,000 units of electricity saving about ₹21 lakh annually in power expenditure.
SECL will also set up a 1.5MW floating solar plant at the Sharda OC Sohagpur area of the state.
Additionally, SECL plans to establish solar projects with a combined capacity of 436 MW on the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) or BOO (Build-Own-Operate) mode.
In the past few years, several fossil fuel-based companies have begun investing in the renewable energy sector. Towards the end of last year, Coal India signed a ₹5400 crore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rajasthan government to set up a 1 GW+ solar plant in the state. Moreover, oil and gas giant Bharat Petroleum has also announced plans to set up 240 MW renewable energy projects in UP, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
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Resource: ET Energy
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