The French multinational energy conglomerate ENGIE’s total renewable capacity in India has crossed 1.5 GW after Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) awarded a 280 MW solar project as part of the state’s Raghanesda Solar Park, which is currently under development.

As reported by Mercom in May 2019, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) had auctioned 700 MW of solar capacity in which ENGIE emerged as the lowest bidder by quoting a tariff of ₹2.65 (~$0.038)/kWh to develop a capacity of 200 MW. The solar PV projects will be developed under Phase III of Raghanesda Solar Park.

According to the company, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has also awarded it with a 200 MW onshore wind project in Gujarat.

Mercom had reported about SECI’s auction for 480 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected wind power projects, which was part of the 1,200 MW tender that was floated under tranche-VII. In this auction, ENGIE had quoted a tariff of ₹2.79 (~$0.0396)/kWh to develop a capacity of 200 MW and had emerged as the lowest bidder in the auction.

Paulo Almirante, ENGIE’s executive vice president, and Group COO commented on the development saying, “These successes demonstrate ENGIE’s capability to accelerate the development of its renewable energy portfolio and meet the ambitious target of adding 9 GW of additional renewable capacities over the next three years.”

Earlier, Mercom reported that ENGIE acquired a 90% stake in Simpa Energy from its parent company Simpa Networks, a distributed energy solutions provider with the pay-as-you-go model. Through the ENGIE Ressembleurs d’Energies investment fund, the company also supports community initiatives in India, the primary aim of which is to help the local population have access to clean energy.

The global independent power producer with its presence in India for the past 40 years, has also finalized the commissioning of nearly 80% of the 338 MW Kadapa solar project ahead of its schedule with the projects’ commercial operation in early June 2019.  Kadapa Solar Park is located in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.

Last year, ENGIE and STOA, a French infrastructure and investment firm, had announced a joint venture to build a wind platform in India. The platform, with 50-50 partnership, has set a goal of establishing over 2 GW of wind energy capacity in the next five years. It will try to build both onshore and offshore wind projects under central and select state tenders.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.