Azure Power Wins 260 MW Solar Power Project in Gujarat

Azure Power announced that it has won a 260 MW solar project in an auction conducted by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL). The 260 MW allocation is the largest allocation by GUVNL to a solar power developer, 52% of the total allocated capacity of 500 MW announced. Azure Power will provide power for 25 years to GUVNL which has been rated AA- by ICRA, a Moody’s company, at a tariff of INR 2.67 (~US$ 0.04) per kWh. The project will be developed by Azure Power outside a solar park and is likely to be commissioned in 2019.

Azure Power has a long history of developing and operating solar power plants under the Gujarat Solar Policy 2009. Some of the first solar projects in India were built in Gujaratgiven several advantages the state has including high levels of solar radiation, an extensive and stable electric grid network, and the strong credit quality of its DISCOM, GUVNL. Azure Power developed and is operating India’s first MW-scale distributed solar rooftop project in Gujarat’s state capital city, Gandhinagar. In 2013,World Bank recognized this project as one of the Top 10 public-private partnerships in the Asia Pacific region.

Speaking on this occasion, Inderpreet Wadhwa, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Azure Power said, “Our long history of superior solar power operations in Gujaratright from the inception of Gujarat’s Solar Policy 2009 has contributed to our success of procuring the largest solar power contract auctioned by Gujarat. We are delighted to make a contribution towards the realization of our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s commitment towards clean and green energy, through solar power generation.”

Image: Azure Power Solar Power Plant (Photo: Business Wire)