Statkraft BLP Solar Solutions, inaugurated its 5 MW solar power plant in Karnataka on 2nd March 2017. The opening of the power plant is being graced by Statkraft’s corporate management, including Statkraft’s CEO, Christian Rynning-Tønnesen. At the inauguration, Christian said “This is a proud moment for Statkraft. We do believe that solar technology is going to play an important role for India and we are excited about the possibilities.” For this capacity, Statkraft BLP has tied up offtake agreements with three prominent clients in Karnataka. These include a five-star hotel in Bangalore, a subsidiary of a major German Industrial conglomerate and a subsidiary of a German automobile parts manufacturer. The clients will be supplied solar power under the open access mechanism.
The solar plant, which was built with Statkraft’s global quality and health and safety standards, is one of the few open access solar projects to be commissioned successfully in Karnataka. Statkraft BLP’s CEO, Tejpreet Singh Chopra commented on the commissioning: “With our reputation of execution and operation and the credentials of the parent companies, clients are recognizing us as dependable long-term partners. Additionally, the financial and technical strength of partners ensures timely project execution.” He also disclosed that the company has a strong pipeline of projects in multiple states in India and several clients are in conversation to procure solar solutions.
Statkraft BLP’s COO, Pratyush Thakur commented on Statkraft BLP’s vision “We are an energy partner of choice for industries and commercial units, both for operations and financing. We offer open access power, solar rooftop solutions, as well as power trading solutions in cooperation with our sister company Statkraft Markets. This gives us the unique advantage of providing both short-term power as well long-term solutions, open access as well as captive capacity.” Statkraft BLP Solar Solutions was incorporated as a joint venture between Norwegian state-owned utility, Statkraft, and the established Indian renewable firm, Bharat Light and Power, in November 2015. The venture has since then commissioned rooftop projects along with its first 5 MW solar plant.
Statkraft also owns about 300 MW hydel capacity in India in a joint venture with Bhilwara Energy. Statkraft Markets, the trading arm of the global utility, provides trading solutions to clients in India. In its endeavour to provide clean energy to the Royal Norwegian Embassy of India, Statkraft CEO, Christian Rynning-Tønnesen also signed a supply contract for International Renewable Energy Certificates from Statkraft’s joint venture asset Malana Hydro Power Plant. On the occasion, Ambassador Nils Ragnar Kamsvåg said, “We are very proud inhabitants of a greener embassy and Statkraft contributes through the guaranteed origin of clean energy in form of International Renewable Energy Certificates (IRECs)”.
