Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) has plans to set up a concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) plant of 50 MW capacity with storage facility in one of the existing thermal power stations, to ensure that generation can be made available throughout the day.
The Concentrating Solar Power plant may be set up either at the Kutch Lignite Thermal Power Station or the Gandhinagar Thermal Power Station or any other suitable location within the state.
In this context, GSECL is looking for consultants to conduct a feasibility study as well as a detailed project report.
Significantly, the installed capacity of the State has increased from 315 MW in 1960-61 to 13144 MW in 2010-2011. The per capita consumption of power in the State of Gujarat in 2009-10 was 1491 Units.
A Coal Based Power Station, the Gandhinagar Thermal Power Station is located at Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat near Ahmedabad. Situated on the banks of Sabarmati River, it has two units of 120 MW each, three units of 210 MW each with a total installed capacity of 870 MW.
On the other hand, the Kutch Lignite Thermal Power Station is located near Panandhro village in Kutch District. A Lignite Based Power Station, it has two units of 70 MW each and two units of 75 MW with a total installed capacity of 290 MW.