NEW DELHI: State-run Coal India will set up a solar power project with a capacity of 1,190 mega watt in Rajasthan as part of its carbon mitigation plan, the coal ministry said on Thursday.
CIL and Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam signed an MoU for the project, which will be built in phases at the upcoming ultra-mega solar park in the state approved by the renewable energy ministry.
The company had last year floated two subsidiaries for manufacturing solar modules and building renewable energy projects. It had also projected an investment of Rs 5,650 crore in renewables to power its mining operations.
The Rajasthan project is part of the company’s solar push and is also expected to generate employment in the state, the cola ministry said.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, coal minister Pralhad Joshi said India has coal reserves to last for up to 50 years. Emphasis now is to produce clean coal and steps are being taken in this direction.
He said eight million tonne of coal stock is available and state governments must go for innovative solutions to ease transport bottlenecks. Rail-cum-sea route is being preferred now to reduce transportation time, the minister added.
