Guwahati: After a prolonged wait of years, the first solar park of Assam- at Amguri having 70 MW capacity- said to be the largest standalone solar plant in the Northeast - is likely to start generating power from Wednesday.

Power generation was scheduled to start today, but it was hampered by rains.

M/s Jakson Power Pvt Ltd was selected to develop the project through competitive bidding as per guidelines from the Ministry of Power. The entire solar power generated from this project will be supplied to APDCL at a fixed tariff of Rs 3.98 per unit for 25 years. An investment of around Rs 270 crore has been made in the project.

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Meeting renewable energy obligations is a prerequisite for a State to meet its commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals. Setting up of generation capacity, particularly solar, etc., with availability only during particular hours of a day is also operationally challenging for the electrical grid system even if the commercial aspect is set aside.

"Dependency on fossil fuel-based power is to be minimized in days to come and renewable power is the only alternative. Recent developments are prominently indicating the same. As such, having a robust clean generation is of paramount importance. Moreover, the generation capacity of the State is also in need of augmentation. Renewable purchase obligation is also to be met as per governing trajectory," an official said.

Sources said the Assam government is actively deliberating on notifying a renewable energy policy soon. In furtherance of the declaration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the State government 'has planned to install 1,000 MW of solar power plants in free government lands. A portion of the same is envisaged to be installed with storage capacity.

"The capacity addition of green power in the form of solar power capacity will help in not just meeting the solar RPO (renewable purchase obligation), but also support the State in meeting the target capacity addition. Further, surplus generation will help Assam in supplying renewable energy to other States which is in the larger interest of the country and help in the reduction of carbon emission with the enhancement of clean and green energy portfolio," the official said.