India Boosts Green Energy with 810 MW Project

NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL) has formalised a power purchase agreement (PPA) for its largest solar power initiative to date—a massive 810 MW solar project to be developed at the Pugal Solar Park in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district.

The agreement was signed with Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) at a high-level event in Jaipur, signalling both public sector commitment and state-level support for India’s renewable ambitions. A 100% subsidiary of NLC India Limited (NLCIL), NIRL is positioning itself at the vanguard of India’s energy transformation. The 810 MW project will be part of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park (UMREPP) initiative, aimed at maximising India’s solar potential while leveraging competitive tariff mechanisms.

The Bikaner region—characterised by its arid, sun-drenched terrain—provides a strategic location for large-scale solar power generation. Upon completion, the project is expected to generate over 2 billion units of clean electricity annually, directly displacing nearly 1.5 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The infrastructure will be integrated into RVUNL’s 2,000 MW Pugal Solar Park, further streamlining implementation. At the signing ceremony, NLCIL Chairman and Managing Director Prasanna Kumar Motupalli described the project as a defining moment in the organisation’s clean energy journey. “This 810 MW solar project reflects our unwavering commitment to India’s green energy roadmap. It is more than a project; it is a pledge to a low-carbon, sustainable future,” he stated.

Beyond the immediate environmental benefits, the project underscores the strategic synergy between central and state public sector units to push forward national decarbonisation goals. It also demonstrates how central public enterprises can effectively leverage underutilised landscapes—like Bikaner’s barren tracts—for productive, climate-positive outcomes. NLCIL has already embarked on an aggressive renewable energy expansion strategy, aiming to achieve a portfolio of 10 GW in green energy capacity by 2030. This aligns seamlessly with India’s broader objectives of achieving energy security while honouring its commitments under the Paris Agreement.

In addition to solar projects, the company is exploring diversified investments in Rajasthan, including up to 2,000 MW of renewable energy and lignite-based power projects in joint venture formats. These developments are likely to boost local employment, infrastructure, and regional economic activity in a state that continues to be a renewable energy leader. As India navigates its path to a net-zero economy, public sector innovations like this solar project not only reflect the operationalisation of green policies but also highlight the critical role of cross-sectoral partnerships in executing large-scale, sustainable energy infrastructure.

India Boosts Green Energy with 810 MW Project