The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is making significant strides in its green energy transition, moving forward with its ambitious ₹5,000 crore plan to establish a 1 GW (1,000 MW) solar power plant in Rajasthan. Initially conceptualized to dramatically expand the public sector undertaking’s minimal renewable energy footprint, the project requires an expansive 5,000 acres of land. This massive installation is strategically designed to dual-serve ONGC’s operational interests: it will fully cover the company’s internal, captive electricity demands while generating a secondary revenue stream by allowing the state-owned giant to trade surplus power directly into the open market.

In a pivotal development boosting this initiative, Project Sixteen Renewable Power Private Ltd. a step-down subsidiary of the joint venture company, ONGC NTPC Green Private Ltd. (ONGPL), officially commenced the commercial electricity supply of an initial 150 MW portion from its 300 MW solar capacity pipeline in Rajasthan. This successful operational milestone marks a critical phase of execution for the joint venture, directly contributing to India’s record-breaking solar capacity additions in the region. As Rajasthan continues to dominate the country’s solar market, capturing nearly 39% of installations, ONGC’s targeted scaling toward its complete 1 GW milestone remains highly integrated with national grid expansion and long-term price certainty power purchase agreements.

Additionally, the rapid integration of ONGC’s phased 1 GW solar capacities in Rajasthan is deeply tied to regional grid stability, creating a critical operational relationship with the massive Khavda infrastructure in neighboring Gujarat. As NTPC Green Energy simultaneously scales up massive solar generation hubs across both states through its joint ventures, managing the combined intermittent power surges requires unprecedented balancing capabilities. The milestone commissioning of the cumulative 3.37 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Khavda provides the regional grid with the vital, utility-scale flexibility needed to absorb excess daytime solar output from the entire western corridor including Rajasthan’s expanding pipelines and safely redeploy it to ensure reliable, round-the-clock clean electricity supply.

November 7, 2022

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), an India-based company, has revealed its plans to build a 1 GW solar power plant in Rajasthan, India. ONGC is engaged in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and value-added products.

Hitherto, the company has approached the state government regarding 5,000 acres of land in the Northern West region of India for the development of the said project. The project, the cost of which is expected to be Rs 5,000 crore will take up 20 square kilometers. 

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Upon completion, the 1 GW solar power plant in Rajasthan will contribute towards establishing green energy not only in the host region but in India at large. At the end of 2021, wind and solar energy accounted for just about 20% of installed capacity within the country.

However, by the end of 2022, India aims to develop well over 175 GW of renewable capacity. 100 GW of the total capacity will be made up of solar power.

The 1 GW solar power plant in Rajasthan to boost ONGC’s presence in the renewable energy sector

As it stands, ONGC has just 153 MW of wind and 31 MW of solar generation capacity. Its presence in the renewable energy sector is therefore barely felt. However, the company has begun to act on its green goals by pushing hard on some projects for example the 1 GW solar power plant in Rajasthan. 

The company is also partnering with some renewable power companies in its quest to venture into the industry. For instance, ONGC is exploring an offshore wind farm project in partnership with Norway’s Equinor. It has also struck a preliminary agreement with NTPC, the country’s largest generator, for setting up renewable power projects.

Moreover, it has tied up with Greenko to set up a green hydrogen project. Greenko is one of the largest renewable energy companies in India.