Tata Power to boost renewable energy capacity by about 71%

Tata Power, one of India's largest private power companies, plans to boost  renewable energy capacity by about 71 per cent to cut carbon emissions and cut risks from fluctuating fuel prices.

The utility would add 646.7 MW of renewable energy capacity, according to the company's statement today.

The company has gross installed capacity of 912 MW from clean energy sources, with 447 MW of it coming from hydropower and 465 MW derived from renewable sources such as wind and solar power.

The company's total installed gross generation capacity in the country is about 8,560 MW. "Our clean and renewable energy projects will allow us to reduce the overall carbon footprint and further diversify our energy portfolio to reduce fuel price risk. We intend to continue to improve our operational efficiency across all our businesses in the coming years," Anil Sardana, managing director of Tata Power, said in the statement.

The increase in clean energy capacity would come from solar, wind and hydro projects that Tata Power was setting up in the country and overseas. The company had entered into power purchase agreements with Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) for electricity generated from a 25 MW solar plant at Palaswadi and a 32 MW wind energy project at Ambheri, both located in Maharashtra.

The company had also signed a purchase agreement with TPREL for wind energy from a 49.5 MW project in Pethshivpur.

The utility holds a 26-per cent stake in the Dagachhu Hydroelectric Power Project in Bhutan, which is under implementation by Dagachhu Hydro Power Corp. The project would have 126 MW of installed capacity.

Through a joint venture company, Cennergi, Tata Power is developing a 94.8 MW wind project in South Africa. The Tsitsikamma wind power project would be ready by 2017.

Tata Power is also a partner of Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC (AGL), which is developing hydroelectric projects in southwest Georgia.

AGL plans to export power to Georgia and Turkey.