The state-owned Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) India has commissioned 300 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the state of Tamil Nadu.

According to a Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) filing made by NLC India, the commissioned capacity is part of the 500 MW of grid-connected solar PV projects currently under implementation in Tamil Nadu.

An NLC India official confirmed the development to Mercom, adding that the commissioned capacity is part of the 500 MW of solar projects that had been tendered back in 2016.

“The remaining capacity will be commissioned soon,” added the NLC India official.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, with this recent installation NLC India has commissioned solar projects aggregating 440 MW and has a project pipeline of ~900 MW.

NLC India targets to develop 4 GW of solar projects by 2022.

Mercom recently reported that NLC India is in a tough spot with regards to the 500 MW solar projects due to delay in project development and commissioning as the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) declined to interfere and review the control period of 500 MW of solar projects being developed by NLC in the state. NLC had 45 days to appeal this order to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL).

According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, NLC India had entered into an agreement with Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) to develop 500 MW of grid-connected solar PV projects and supply power for a period of 25 years.

As reported by Mercom in January 2018, before this development, NLC India had also successfully commissioned 130 MW of solar project in Tamil Nadu.

Image credit: Solarpack