SunEdison has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government of Karnataka to develop five GW of renewable energy within the state over the next five years. The electricity generated by these projects will be cost competitive with coal produced electricity, without subsidies or incentives, and will ease the electricity deficit that Karnataka currently experiences. As well, the projects will provide enhanced access to electricity for many of the people in Karnataka, who currently have no electricity or intermittent access to electricity.
Under the agreement, SunEdison will build a mix of solar PV and wind energy power plants across Karnataka. The renewable energy power plants will supply electricity, to be sold under power purchase agreements, to distribution companies and utilities within the state, entities of the Central Government of the Union of India and various other third party off-takers within and outside Karnataka. The government of Karnataka will explore location options with SunEdison to find suitable government land on which to construct the projects and will facilitate construction of the infrastructure required to connect the projects to the grid. The agreement includes details of an immediate plan to implement between 1,000 MW and 1,500 MW before December 31st, 2016.
“We are proud to be working with the government of Karnataka to progress its renewable energy goals,” stated Pashupathy Gopalan, President of SunEdison, Asia-Pacific. “Karnataka's comprehensive energy policy paves the way for socially and environmentally responsible economic growth and prosperity by addressing the energy needs of utility customers, distributed generation customers, and farmers who can benefit from solar water pumps for irrigation. The energy leadership in the state is determined to make a significant positive impact for the people and businesses of Karnataka, and we are excited about the opportunity to work with them to make this positive change.”
At the signing ceremony, honorable Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of Karnataka, and Ahmad Chatila, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunEdison, discussed how SunEdison could support the government’s vision of a socially, environmentally, and economically prosperous state through the development of cost effective solar and wind energy resources.