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Solar tariff drops to Rs 2.44 per unit

Last Updated 12 May 2017, 15:57 IST

Solar power tariff hit new lows of Rs 2.44 per unit, in the auction conducted for Bhadla solar park in Rajasthan on Friday.

“Green future: Latest solar power auction at Bhadla Solar Park 3 sets new record with electricity tariff of Rs 2.44/unit,” Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, tweeted. ACME Solar Holdings emerged as the lowest bidder by quoting Rs 2.44 per unit tariff for 200 MW followed by SBG Cleantech One at Rs 2.45 per unit for 500 MW capacity.

These tariffs are lower than the average rate of power generated by the coal-fuelled projects of India’s largest power generation utility NTPC, at Rs 3.20 per unit. Acme Solar was one of the successful bidders for Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa solar project, wherein it had quoted Rs 3.30 per unit in the auction held in February.

Despite concerns being expressed about the sustainability of such low tariffs, these firms have been aggressive in their approach. The solar power tariff went  down drastically from Rs 10.95-12.76 per unit in 2010-11. Last month, levelised solar power tariff had dropped to an all-time low of Rs 3.15 per unit at the auction of a 250 MW project at Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh.

 Earlier in February, the lower capital expenditure and cheaper credit had pulled down solar tariff to a new low of Rs 2.97 per unit for the first year in an auction conducted for 750 MW capacity in Rewa Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh.

However, the levelised tariff for Rewa project has worked out to be Rs 3.30 per unit. Experts, however, believe that the prices may further fall with increased competition between companies.

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(Published 12 May 2017, 15:57 IST)

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