The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued an expression of interest (EoI) for shortlisting of suitable land banks or parcels for developing a 100 MW solar power project in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. SECI has planned a solar project for South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) having at least 50 MW at single location. SECL is one of the eight subsidiaries of Coal India Limited (CIL) in the state of Chhattisgarh.
To develop the project, SECI requires cumulative of 400 acres, with a minimum of 200 acre of land at one location. The corporation seeks proposals from prospective private land owners, farmers, co-operative societies, land aggregators among others. The prospective applicants must be willing to sell land on outright basis or on long term lease of 30 years, anywhere across Chhattisgarh. In the case where 400 acres of contiguous land parcel is offered at a single location, it should preferably within 10 km from any existing 220 kV or 132 kV STU substation. Alternatively, where a minimum of 200 acres of contiguous land parcel is offered in 2 different locations (cumulatively 400 acre), it should preferably within 5 km from any existing 220 kV or 132 kV STU substation. The last date for submission of application is May 31, 2021
CIL is looking to expand its footprint in the renewable space. Earlier, in March 2021, CIL invited bids for the design, engineering, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning of a 100 MW grid-connected solar power project in Gujarat. The cost of the solar project is expected to be Rs 4.5 billion. In December 2020, CIL also approved the creation of a special purpose vehicle to set up an integrated solar wafer manufacturing facility in India. CIL also plans on establishing a new renewable energy business vertical in the near future.
