The EDEN Renewables joint venture between the oil major Total’s development unit Total Eren and compatriot utility EDF has been awarded three solar projects in India with a combined capacity of 1.35GW.
The JV dedicated to the Indian PV market won two 450MW projects during the last tenders organised by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI VIII and SECI IX), as well as another 450MW development in the last auction run by the country’s National Hydro Power Corporation.
“We are very glad to have reached a new milestone with these three solar power plants, building upon the successful signature of four long-term PPAs [power purchase agreements] last year," said Fabienne Demol, global head of business development at Total Eren.
“Looking ahead, I am excited to be working on these solar projects with our partner EDF , through our joint subsidiary EDEN Renewables India, which plays a key role in achieving our local ambitions.”
The successes in Indian tenders come as Total is intensifying its energy transition efforts. The oil major has just raised its renewable energy target to 35GW by 2025, with an ambition to become one of the top five global players in green power.
Construction of the three large projects is due to start early next year, with commissioning seen towards the end of 2022.
With a planned production of more than 2,300 gigawatt hours per year, the solar PV plants are slated to generate enough power to meet the electricity needs of nearly 2m people.
“These landmark projects fit perfectly with EDF’s Cap 2030 strategy of doubling its renewable energy net capacity in operation from 28GW to 50GW between 2015 and 2030 worldwide,” said Frédéric Belloy, executive vice president of international operations for EDF’s renewables business.
“Through our renewable energy developments, we are pleased to contribute to the Indian government’s goal of reaching 220GW of non-fossil generation by 2022.”
EDEN Renewables India last year had already signed 25-year PPAs for four solar power projects totaling 716MW.