Defence min inaugurates solar plant at Avadi HVF

The solar power plant was set up by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Defence Public Sector Unit (DPSU) for the HVF, one of the many green initiatives by the organisation. Under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme, BEL is establishing energy security for the Ordnance Factory Estates by setting up utility scale, grid-connected solar power plant. At HVF and Engine Factory (EFA) in Avadi, the 16-MW plant is developed in 80 acres of land, at an estimated cost of Rs 105 crores for the factory’s annual captive consumption. The plant will inject power at 110 KV to TANTRANSCO’s 110 KV Sub-Station located 2.5 km away and is expected to result in annual savings of Rs. 45.41 million for both, HVF and EFA. The plant will also generate employment for professional, skilled and unskilled labour and reduce emissions of SO2, NO2 and particulate matter (PM). This will result in improvement in air quality. 26,384 tonnes per annum of carbon dioxide can be avoided due to the plant.