Chennai. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated a 16 MW grid-connected Solar Power Plant set up by Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) at Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF), Avadi in Tamil Nadu June 8.

BEL Chairman & Managing Director MV Gowtama was also present on the occasion. This was one among many green initiatives undertaken by BEL.

BEL 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. As part of this, a 16 MW (AC) Power Plant, developed in around 80 acres of land, has been set up at an approximate cost of Rs 105 Cr for the annual captive consumption of HVF & Engine Factory (EFA), Avadi, around 25 km from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

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.

This project undertaken by BEL is generating 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.

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 (CO2) avoided due to this Solar Power Plant would be around 26,384 tons/annum.