Azure Power commissions 100 MW solar farm in India’s Andhra Pradesh

Azure Power has commissioned 100 MW of new solar PV as part of the Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, where the total capacity is expected to reach 1 GW.

Spreading across 500 acres, the Kurnool Park is being developed by the Solar Park Implementation Agency (SPIA) and Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Limited (APSPCL) in order to help electrify the nearby areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Inderpreet Wadhwa, Azure Power Founder and CEO, said: “With the commissioning of this plant, we have once again demonstrated strong project development, engineering, and execution capabilities. We are delighted to make a contribution to our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s commitment towards clean and green energy, through solar power generation. Our sincere gratitude to the National Thermal Power Corporation [NTPC] and the State of Andhra Pradesh for all the cooperation and support extended.”

Last November, Azure Power won the rights to develop the project in an auction by the NTPC, India’s state utility and the loudest voice in favor of tilting the country’s energy mix towards renewables.

Shortly after, Azure commenced construction on the 100 MW solar farm with a 25-year power purchase agreement with NTCP and a tariff of INR 5.12 ($0.079)/kWh in sight.

With its aggregate solar power generation capacity now exceeding 12 GW, India has seen a flurry of activity in its breakthrough year of 2015-16, when its combined installed capacity reached 6,763 MW.

In terms of installed capacity across the country, the list is currently topped by the state of Andhra Pradesh with 1,867 MW, followed by Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.