NTPC Ltd has commissioned a 5-MW solar photo-voltaic power project at Port Blair in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
It is the first grid-connected solar photo-voltaic project in these islands and also the first greenfield renewable solar PV project of NTPC.
Overcoming serious challenges like skilled manpower and machinery and inclement weather conditions, the company has commissioned the project in a record time of six-and-half months.
Skilled manpower and equipment were arranged from the mainland through road, rail and sea route. The project was executed by Photon energy Systems.
For setting up the project, 10 hectares was given by the Andaman & Nicobar Island Administration on lease to NTPC at Garacharma Hills Village in Port Blair in September 2012.
The power major is in the process of implementing several renewable energy projects in the country. Couple of these projects are coming up in South India near NTPC Ramagundam thermal power project in Andhra Pradesh.
In Phase I, NTPC it is planning to set up a 10-MW solar PV farm at Ramagundam and possibly take it to 25 MW.
The company has laid special thrust on renewable energy sector, covering solar and wind power farms. In the South, it is working on setting up wind farms in Karnataka and Kerala.