NTPC commissions 50 MW Rajgarh solar project

NTPC Ltd today announced the commencement of commercial operation of 20 MW photo voltaic power unit at Rajgarh in Madhya Pradesh today raising its capacity to 50 MW.

With the commissioning of the full capacity of the Rajgarh solar power station, the total capacity of non-conventional energy projects under NTPC now stands at 95 MW.

NTPC now has seven renewable power projects, including solar power units.

NTPC, which has a total installed capacity of 43,039 MW and contributes 28 per cent of the country's power requirement, also operates 16 coal-based, seven gas-based, and seven joint venture power stations.

Meanwhile, the Indian Solar Manufacturers' Association (ISMA), representing 25 domestic solar manufacturers, has expressed concern over the dumping of thin-film and silicon PV cells and modules into the country.

These are being sold at ridiculously low prices, bleeding the local industry and violating international fair trade regulations, the association pointed out.

Domestic suppliers of glass to solar module makers are also struggling to survive due to the dumping of cheap foreign products, which besides the financial losses caused to domestic industry, has resulted in job losses, says the association, adding that the country is also missing out on exports.

More than 70 per cent of the installed PV capacity is idle. Hundreds of employees have been laid off, it said.

India has been supplying cells and modules to all major countries in Europe and Japan who have stringent quality standards and has found a ready market in these discerning countries.

Although the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) under the government's National Action Plan on Climate Change makes domestic content requirements a key objective, importers use policy loopholes to buy cheap products overseas.

As of now, 13 countries, including the US, China, South Africa and countries in the EU and West Asia require locally manufactured equipment to be used in solar farms, thereby ensuring energy security and employment to the locals, the association pointed out.

In January 2013, the ministry of commerce issued a gazette notification for the launch of anti-dumping investigations into imported PV cells from China, Taiwan, Malaysia and the US.

ISMA is hopeful of eliminating below-cost dumping by imposition of a suitable anti-dumping tax.