Patna: Farmers in Bihar can harvest electricity also. However, for that they need to have at least 4 acres spare land to install a solar power plant with installed capacity of 1 mega watt (MW).
On one-time investment of ₹5.37-crore, they can earn around ₹51.59 lakh per year by generating power. The farmers can install the solar power plant only if their land land is located within 5 km radius of the power sub-stations.
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Of the total capital expenditure, the central government will provide financial assistance of ₹1.05 crore, while the state government will done out ₹45 lakh as assistance. The Bihar state power generation company limited (BSPGCL) has floated a tender to elicit response from the interested farmers.
State energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said that the solar power plant will increase the income of farmers. Along with this, clean and green energy will expand in the state. Principal secretary, energy department, Sanjeev Hans said that the effort of solarization under PM Kusum Yojana will empower the farmers. This initiative is an important step towards promoting the use of green energy and conservation of environmental in Bihar.
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Power Plant to run for 25 years
Officials of the energy department said that the total cost of setting up the solar power plant will be around ₹5.37 crore. Entire capital expenditure on the plant can be recovered in ten years as farmers can get an annual income of ₹51.59 lakh by selling electricity. After recovering the basic cost, those who install the plant can earn an income of about ₹50 lakh per MW per year for the next 15 years. This plant will run at full capacity for 25 years.
Preparations on install power plants substations
Preparations are on to install solar power plants near 843 power substations across the state. Under the scheme, farmers or any company can install solar power plants according to the load present in the agricultural feeder within a radius of 5 km of the substations. The plant will have to be built by obtaining ownership or lease of the land, which will be connected to the nearest power substation through 11 kV transmission line. In this tender, a company can participate alone or farmers can participate as an association of maximum three members.
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Power company to sign agreement
Tender has been issued for solarization of 1235 agricultural/mixed feeders connected to 843 power substations. The applicant selected through the tender will have to build the solar plant in 15 months and connect it to the 11 KV feeder. South and North Bihar Power Distribution Company will make the power purchase agreement for 25 years with the plant installers.
Apply on the portal for the tender
Complete information regarding the tender is available on the Bihar e-procurement portal (https://eproc2.bihar.gov.in). Detailed information will be available on tender ID 59148.
