France-based energy firms EDF Energies Nouvelles and EREN Renewable Energy have commissioned 150MW of solar projects developed by Delhi-based ACME Solar in the Indian states of Rajasthan and Odisha. EREN and EDF each hold a 25% stake in ACME Solar. The commissioning includes five plants totalling 120MW in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). The project, which is named NSM, involves 612,000 panels. It is also funded by local and international financial institutions including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). All construction, operation and maintenance work, as well as the supply of 20% of photovoltaic modules have been contracted with Indian businesses, claims EDF. This news follows a recent Reuters report that claimed India's enormous targets for solar in the coming decade will be driven by foreign players while uncompetitive local manufacturers lose out, without protection from government restrictions. The commissioning also includes a 30MW plant in Sikuan, Odisha. The plant, also named Odisha, includes 117,000 panels. The 150MW of commissioned plants together will provide electricity to more than 90,000 homes. David Corchia, chief executive of EREN Renewable Energy, said: “Based on our recent successful achievements and the solid complementarity between EREN Renewable Energy, ACME Cleantech and EDF Energies Nouvelles, our ambition is to become one of the main players on the Indian photovoltaic market. ACME Solar exemplifies a flourishing international collaboration with strong local footprint.” Antoine Cahuzac, chief executive of EDF Energies Nouvelles, said: “With 180MWp solar energy capacity installed less than a year after our entry into the Indian market, the commissioning of NSM and Odisha consolidate our position in this high potential country and paves the way to other projects.” Last week a Deutsche Bank report found that investment in solar power in India could surpass investment in coal by 2019-20, with US$35 billion already committed by global players.
EDF Energies Nouvelles and EREN Renewable Energy have commissioned 150MW of solar projects in India, which will provide electricity to over 90,000 homes. This news follows a recent photovoltaic report that claimed India's enormous targets for solar in the coming decade will be driven by foreign players. he commissioning includes five plants totalling 120MW in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan which will use 612,000 panels, in addition to a 30MW plant in Odisha which will use 117,000 panels.