(a) whether the Government/National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) proposes to set up battery storage plants in Andaman and Nicobar Islands;
(b) if so, the details and the benefits thereof;
(c) the sites identified for the said purpose; and
(d) the total capacity of the said plants and the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a): Yes Madam. NTPC Ltd. is setting up grid connected Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Power Plants with battery storage in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands under the scheme of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) for Greening the Islands.
(b): This will help in – i) reduction in cost of electricity generation; ii) phasing out use of diesel for electricity generation; and iii) reduction in carbon emission into the atmosphere.
(c): The sites identified for the projects are – Manglutan and Chidiyatapu in Port Blair.
(d): The total capacity at 2 sites would be about 25 MW (Manglutan - 17 MW and Chidiyatapu - 8 MW). Since, Solar Power Plants with battery storage is being set up for the first time in the country and Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has not so far notified the benchmark cost/tariff for such plants, expenditure on setting up of these plants will be known only on completion of the tendering process by NTPC Ltd.
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