The parable of a barren desert powering the Nation

Susten’s overall portfolio feeds 2.6 billion kWh of green power to the National grid and translates to the electricity consumption of 17 Lakh people

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Executive Summary

If you have just watched our film, you would realize that it is indeed a barren land that is powering the nation. Spread across five states, Susten’s overall portfolio feeds 2.6 billion kWh of green power to the National grid and translates to the electricity consumption of 17 Lakh people. This is the size of a city similar to Ludhiana, Baroda, and Bhopal. Mahindra Susten’s vision is to contribute to the decarbonization of the world through Solar power projects with a high focus on quality and innovation, and the best in technological design.

Susten’s overall portfolio feeds 2.6 billion kW of green power to the National grid and translates to the electricity consumption of 17 Lakh people

Initiative

This blog articulates the unique features of the 250 MW Solar plant at Bap, Rajasthan, and the hurdles encountered and overcome during implementation. The project has been a bundle of challenges for Mahindra Susten. Challenges associated with COVID-19 timing, and extreme heat waves during summer were just some of the prominent ones.

The plant was developed on land procured by Mahindra Susten and includes a 220 KV plant-side substation development and a transmission line of 15.56 Km. The power generated is transmitted to the ISTS (Interstate Transmission Substation) at 440 KV PGCIL Bhadla Substation and translates to the annual electricity consumption of several households in neighboring towns and states. The ISTS-1 project is developed with the technology of a fixed tilt system and an outdoor inverter system. The EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction) of the project is done by Susten’s in-house team.

Outcome:

The project is the first in India to introduce cluster sizing of 12.5 MW and is equipped with a 100% automatic dry-cleaning system for module cleaning.

Mahindra Susten has been awarded the prestigious ‘Water Positive Verification’ certificate for its 100% operating portfolio for the assessment year FY23.

The accreditation, granted by esteemed certification authority TUV India (TÜV NORD GROUP), recognizes Susten's commitment towards planet-positive initiatives and water resource conservation. This recognition comes after a thorough audit of all project locations in five states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. As per TUV India’s evaluation, Susten’s +1.5 GW renewable energy portfolio commands a score of 15 (Positive) on the Water Footprint Index implying that water recharged is 15 times over what was consumed.

Rainwater harvesting pond

Challenges faced

Minimizing the water-intensive process of the solar sector

Mahindra Susten adopted a three-step approach to making the Bap project a 100% water-positive project.
Susten adopted 100% dry cleaning robot technology and eliminated water for the module resulting in the annual saving of 28.5 million L of water
Sustainable practices such as groundwater recharge systems with artificial recharge ponds and rainwater harvesting recharge pits were designed and constructed having a capacity of 2300 kL leading to 206336 kL of water harvested /recharged annually.

The timing of the project coincided with COVID restriction

Followed strict COVID-19 protocol at site for both MSPL & Contractor team members.
Strict checks on the workforce health were priorities for Susten.

Extreme heat waves during summer

Limiting working hours to early hours of the day and evenings to ensure a 4-hour break during peak temperatures.

Harnessing the power of nature in non-agricultural land, Susten has been generating green energy through various projects, with zero water usage and minimum impact on the environment. The projects are an integral part of India’s green energy transition and Mahindra group’s mission of Carbon neutrality by 2040.