Adani Group recently made headlines by commissioning the world’s largest solar wind hybrid project in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. The 700 MW project, contracted under a power purchase agreement (PPA) for a period of 25 years, is comprised of 600 MW of solar and 510 MW of wind power plants.
This is not the first time Adani Group has ventured into the hybrid power sector. The Jaisalmer project is the fourth hybrid plant commissioned by Adani Green Energy Ltd, bringing their total operational renewables portfolio in India to over 8 GW. The company has previously commissioned a 390 MW facility in May 2022, followed by a 600 MW facility in September 2022, and a 450 MW plant in December 2022. All four hybrid plants are located in Jaisalmer.
Solar wind hybrid projects are becoming increasingly popular as a way to achieve India’s ambitious renewable energy targets. With a goal to reach 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, the country plans to meet 50% of its energy requirements from renewables. Wind and solar PV are expected to play a significant role in achieving this goal. Hybrid plants, which combine the two technologies in a single location, have the potential to reduce transmission infrastructure costs and variability in the output power profile.
One of the major benefits of solar wind hybrids is how wind complements solar in terms of daily and seasonal load provides. In India, wind speeds tend to increase during and after sunset hours, which is when solar panels produce little to no electricity. By combining the two technologies, hybrid plants can generate a steady flow of electricity throughout the day.
Another advantage of solar wind hybrids is how wind power installations can address the variability of solar power. Solar panels produce electricity only when the sun is shining, which means their output can be unpredictable. However, wind turbines can produce electricity 24 hours a day, providing a consistent source of power even when solar panels are not generating electricity.
Solar wind hybrids also make optimal use of grid capacity. By combining the two technologies, hybrid plants can generate more electricity with the same amount of land and grid infrastructure compared to stand-alone plants. This can lead to significant cost savings for renewable energy projects.
Finally, solar wind hybrids have the potential to bring down the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of renewables. LCOE is the total cost of building and operating a renewable energy project divided by the total amount of electricity it produces over its lifetime. By combining wind and solar technologies, hybrid plants can reduce LCOE by taking advantage of the strengths of both technologies.
India has several tenders for solar wind hybrid projects currently underway. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for 1.2 GW of hybrid projects in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These projects are expected to be commissioned by March 2023.
Solar wind hybrid projects have the potential to play a crucial role in India’s transition to renewable energy. With the country’s ambitious targets for renewable energy capacity, hybrid projects can provide a steady flow of electricity while reducing transmission infrastructure costs and variability in the output power profile. Adani Group’s recent commissioning of the world’s largest solar wind hybrid project is a significant milestone in India’s renewable energy journey, and it will be exciting to see how the sector develops in the coming years.
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