Nagaland signs deal for first private solar plant, targeting 20-megawatt capacity

The Nagaland government has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Pune-based Tvaksas Renewable Private Limited to commission a 20-megawatt solar power plant in Mon district, marking the state's first privately developed solar project.

The plant will come up at Lapa Lampong village in Tizit and is scheduled to begin operations within 20 months, supplying electricity to the state grid at a tariff of ₹4.12 per kilowatt-hour approved by the Nagaland Electricity Regulatory Commission. The agreement was signed on Friday.

Expansion and investment pipeline

Tvaksas Renewable Private Limited plans to expand the project to 100 megawatts in phases, according to company director Bhakti Dave. "We plan to scale the project up to 100MW in phases, bringing long-term investment, skill development, and climate finance opportunities to Nagaland," she said.

Bridging the power deficit

The solar plant is expected to reduce Nagaland's power import bill and help the state meet its renewable consumption obligations, said Nitovi A. Wotsa, Chief Engineer (Transmission and Generation). The project forms part of the government's strategy to close the gap between current peak demand of 203 megawatts and projected demand of 482 megawatts by 2034-35.

"In addition to developing generation projects through our resources, we encourage private-sector participation to promote local generation and augment available capacity to meet the growing electricity demand," Wotsa said.

The state is pursuing a dual approach of building generation capacity through its own resources while inviting private investment to expand local power production.

Source: The Hindu