Supporting Tata Steel’s initiative in reducing carbon footprint, Tata Power Solar commissioned a 3 MW Solar PV Power Plant in the Iron Ore Mine at Noamundi. This is the 1st Solar Power Plant of its kind solar power plant at any iron ore mine in the country. The project will help in reducing CO2 emission by about 3000 tonnes per annum.
Reiterating Tata Steel`s commitment to clean energy, Mr. Narendran said: "We have constantly looked at opportunities to exploit renewable energy sources. This is yet another milestone in our quest to become a sustainability driven company, committed to exploring clean energy solutions. Renewable energy is the best way of mitigating the impact of climate change."
Synergy between three Tata companies, namely, Tata Steel, Tata Power Solar and Tata Power Trading Company was instrumental in shaping the project into reality. With Tata Steel as the sole buyer of all electricity at a contracted tariff, this partnership demonstrates Tata Steel's commitment to climate action and voice support for supporting a strong outcome at the UN Climate Change Conference Paris 2015 (COP 21).
Mr. Khanna said: "We are very glad to execute this project as it represents a huge step towards bringing the sun’s clean, sustainable energy as a part of a hybrid system which has grid power as well as fossil fuel as an option. This project epitomizes new technologies for a sustainable and continuous power requirements and such plants demonstrate how energy needs of the manufacturing sector can be met through clean and renewable sources like solar and has the potential to take usage of solar energy to a new heights."
Solar modules convert the solar radiation into electricity which is converted through inverters to AC power at suitable voltage and then fed to the utility grid with net metering facility for accounting of the solar electricity. In case of complete outage of grid, the solar plant has the capability to synchronize with existing DG bus at processing plant Noamundi and continue operation.
The plant covers 19 acres of land at an elevated reclaimed mining hill with ample undulations and a very rocky terrain. Solar lights have been used for boundary and area lighting around the solar plant. The selected site has a potential of 4.5 MW solar power generation.
A rain water harvesting system has been set-up to collect all surface run-off from rains and module cleaning activities to serve as make-up water and minimize module cleaning water requirement. Horticulture has been planned under the solar panels that will add to the aesthetic value and will reduce cleaning water requirement by binding the loose top soil.
