Tata Steel has commissioned a 3-MW solar PV power plant at Noamundi. This is the first solar power plant in any iron ore mine in the country. The project, executed by Tata Power Solar, is expected to reduce CO2 emission by about 3,000 tonnes per annum.
Set up at a cost of ₹35 crore, the initiative is aimed at addressing climate change issues and other demands on natural resources for the company’s captive use around its mining locations. Synergy between three Tata companies, namely Tata Steel, Tata Power Solar and Tata Power Trading Company, was instrumental in shaping the project.
The 3-MW solar plant was jointly inaugurated by T V Narendran, Managing Director, Tata Steel India and SEA, along with Ashish Khanna, Executive Director & CEO, Tata Power Solar, and Sanjeev Mehra, Managing Director, Tata Power Trading Company.
Reiterating Tata Steel’s commitment to clean energy, Narendran said: “We have constantly looked at opportunities to exploit renewable energy sources. Renewable energy is the best way of mitigating the impact of climate change.”
Talking about the importance of the project, Khanna said: “We are very glad to execute this project as it represents a huge step towards bringing the sun’s clean, sustainable energy as a part of a hybrid system which has grid power as well as fossil fuel as an option. This project epitomises new technologies for a sustainable and continuous power requirements and such plants demonstrate how energy needs of the manufacturing sector can be met through clean and renewable sources like solar and has the potential to take usage of solar energy to new heights.”
Talking about the partnership with Tata Steel, Mehra said: “We are pleased to have partnered with Tata Steel on this strategic asset investment. Such unique Hybrid Solar Power Plant would help in providing reliable and consistent power supply to the industry. Moreover, it helps in contributing towards Tata Power Group vision of increasing footprints in the renewable sector.”