In a significant move towards achieving a sustainable future, South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd and one of the largest coal producers, has announced plans to develop rooftop and ground-mounted solar power projects with a total capacity of 600 MW. The initiative is part of SECL’s strategy to expand and diversify its business while aiming to achieve the ‘Net Zero Energy’ goal.
SECL’s ambitious solar power project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s larger vision of ‘Panchamrit’ announced at CoP-26, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. The Miniratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) has allocated over ₹1,000 crores to implement these projects, some of which will be executed through the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO)/Build-Own-Operate (BOO) mode.
Already, SECL has made significant progress in renewable energy development, with solar power projects totaling more than 180 MW in various stages of development across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Recently, the company successfully commissioned rooftop solar projects with a capacity of 580 kW in the Johilla, Jamuna-Kotma, and Kusmunda Areas.
Johilla Area boasts the highest capacity rooftop solar project in SECL, with a commissioned capacity of approximately 280 kW. Solar panels have been installed at key locations such as the Administrative Building GM office, SECL-run Kendriya Vidyalaya, Regional Hospital, and the Area’s Guesthouse. This project is projected to generate about 4,20,000 units of electricity, resulting in an annual saving of around ₹21 lacks in power expenditure.
Among the ongoing solar projects, the largest ones include two ground-mounted plants with a capacity of 40 MW each. The first project, a 40 MW grid-connected solar PV plant, is being developed on SECL’s own land in the Bhatgaon and Bishrampur areas of Chattisgarh’s Surajpur district. Currently, in the execution stage, it is expected to be commissioned during this fiscal year. Furthermore, SECL’s management is preparing a project report for another 40 MW ground-mounted solar PV plant in the Johilla area, Madhya Pradesh.
SECL is also actively exploring additional solar power opportunities. The company has floated a tender for a 4 MW rooftop solar project and is investigating the feasibility of installing a floating solar power plant at Sharda OC mine in Sohagpur Area, Madhya Pradesh.
These initiatives are part of Coal India Ltd’s broader plan to reduce its carbon footprint and transition towards a more sustainable future. Coal India Ltd aims to achieve net-zero status by installing 3,000 MW capacity of renewable energy projects by 2026. Recently, the company partnered with Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) to identify potential sites for pumped storage power (PSP) projects within its abandoned mines.
SECL, which accounted for approximately one-fourth of Coal India Ltd’s total coal production in the fiscal year 2022-23, recognizes the importance of promoting renewable energy to mitigate the environmental impact of coal mining. By generating power from its solar projects, SECL aims to strike a balance between its power requirements for coal mining and allied activities.
