BEL Sets Up 16 MW Solar Power Plant at HVF, Avadi

The company is establishing energy security for the Ordnance Factory Estates under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme by setting up utility scale grid-connected solar power plants.

Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has set up a 16 MW grid-connected solar power plant at Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF), Avadi.

The company’s move was one among many green initiatives undertaken by it. The plant was inaugurated by the Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman in the presence of M V Gowtama, Chairman & Managing Director, BEL.

The company is establishing energy security for the Ordnance Factory Estates under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme by setting up utility scale grid-connected solar power plants.

This 16 MW (AC) power plant has been developed in around 80 acres of land area. The plant has been set up at an approximate cost of Rs 105 crore for the annual captive consumption of HVF & Engine Factory (EFA), Avadi, around 25 km from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Further, the plant will inject power at 110 kV to TANTRANSCO’s 110 kV sub-station located around 2.5 km away and is expected to result in annual savings of Rs 45.41 million for both, HVF and EFA.

Moreover, the company’s project is expected to generate employment for professional, skilled and unskilled labour.

In addition, various kinds of maintenance work will also generate employment opportunities for the local population on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, the solar power plant will lead to reduction of SO2, NO2 and particulate matter (pm) emissions resulting in improvement in air quality and human health. The carbon dioxide avoided due to this solar power plant would be around 26,384 tons/ annum.