Amplus Energy Solutions has decided to make the most of the waiver provided to open access solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Haryana.

The company has secured an approval from the Haryana State government for two of its solar PV projects totaling 150 MW to supply solar power under open access route to industries in the state.

In March 2019, the Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) amended its guidelines for megawatt-scale ground-mounted and rooftop solar projects meant for captive consumption or third party sale.

Amplus will make a capital investment of ₹7.5 billion (~$0.11 billion) for these two solar PV projects. Amplus had signed an MoU with the state’s Department of Renewable Energy in 2016 to invest ₹10 billion (~$0.14 billion) in the solar sector in line with the Haryana Solar Policy that has a target of 3,200 MW of solar projects. This approval granted to the company was based on the same.

Amplus will set up these projects under a group captive model in Sirsa and Bhiwani districts where it has acquired 575 acres of land under a long-term lease. The construction of the solar PV projects is expected to begin soon, and the solar PV projects will be operational this year, according to a communique by the company.

“Haryana is in the forefront of development with the inclusion of clean energy to power the growth. The state hosts a large number of multi-national commercial and industrial conglomerates. These companies are enthused with this support from the state government for the adoption of green energy. These projects also provide a steady flow of income to the local populations during the construction and operation of the plant. We essentially are creating a clean technology-based ecosystem to support the local population for a better livelihood for the current as well as the future generation,” said Sanjeev Aggarwal, CEO & MD, Amplus Solar.

Recently, Malaysia’s state-owned oil and gas company, PETRONAS, acquired Amplus Energy Solutions Pte Ltd. This has infused more capital into the firm.

In 2018, HAREDA had issued guidelines stating that wheeling charges, cross-subsidy charges, transmission and distribution charges, and additional surcharges will be completely waived for third-party sale or open access consumers of energy from ground mounted or rooftop solar projects commissioned during the control period.

Image credit: Amplus