Lanco’s foray into Solar Business

• Lanco Solar is a global developer with presence in United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, USA & Canada.
• Lanco Solar is a global Engineering, Procurement and Construction Company to deliver EPC solutions
• Lanco Solar is establishing integrated manufacturing facility to produce 300 MW Photovoltaic modules per annum

Lanco Solar Holdings, Singapore, a subsidiary of Lanco Infratech Ltd. has unveiled its solar plans. It is implementing a fully integrated business strategy as a Developer of Solar Farms, EPC contractor and also integrated manufacturer of solar PV modules. Lanco Solar is present in both solar PV and Solar Thermal technologies.

Under various policies of both state and central governments, Lanco Solar has already signed power purchase agreements to the extent of 140 MW and aims to develop 200-300 MW of solar power over the next 2 years. Lanco Solar also offers turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to other solar power developers and are looking to build 300-500 MW of solar thermal and solar PV plants over the next couple of years. Lanco Solar has also secured contracts for establishing solar power generation projects to be built on Parliament house and Science City in Punjab.

Lanco Solar has established a global presence across United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, USA & Canada. Lanco Solar is developing Solar Power Plants & providing turnkey EPC services in these countries. The first few projects in Europe are expected to be commissioned by April 2011.

As part of its integrated business strategy, Lanco is setting up India's first integrated Solar PV manufacturing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project in Rajnandgaon district of Chhatisgarh. In an event which was marked with presence of distinguished gathering. Hon. Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh laid the foundation stone for the SEZ project while Dr Farooq Abdullah, Hon. Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy was the Guest of Honour for the event. The SEZ project is being developed in phases and will have integrated facilities for manufacture of Polysilicon , Ingots, wafers, PV Cells and PV modules with capacities of 250 MW/year equivalent. First phase of the project with an investment of Rs.1370 crores, consisting of Polysilicon, Ingots & Wafers, will be fully operational by year 2012. The state-of-the-art project is the first such integrated solar photovoltaic facility coming up in India, putting the country and the State of Chhattisgarh in the global map of polysilicon production bases.

The high-technology processes involved in the project are similar to that of semiconductor industry The facility is being designed to produce polysilicon of very high purity (micro-electronic grade) and will be set up using technology from Germany and USA.

The SEZ project would provide major boost to the local employment creation and small and medium scale ancillary industries in and around the area. It will create direct and indirect employment for 8,000 people. The project will enhance local entrepreneurship in many fields such as aluminum frame manufacturing, chemical process industries, electrical and electronic industries and construction industry. Small and Medium enterprises such as cutting tools, graphite machining, glass manufacturing, quartz crucible production,panel and switchgear repairing, PLC and robotics-cum-automation servicing, pallets and plastic packaging industry and ash bricks for servicing and maintenance would additionally provide job opportunities for a large number of people in and around the area.

The project would provide the critical backward integration for the solar projects undertaken by the company. Lancohas signed power purchase agreements with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) for development of a 5MW solar PV project and a 100MW solar Thermal project in the state of Rajasthan under the first phase of the National Solar Mission. In addition, it has signed up with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) for development of a 35 MW Solar PV project in the state of Gujarat. The company has already commissioned a 5 MW solar PV project in Gujarat using its in-house EPC capabilities, while another 5 MW is under development.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah, said, "One of the main objectives of National solar mission is to take a global leadership role in solar manufacturing across the value chain, including setting up of manufacturing capacities for poly silicon. I am happy that this integrated project is the first step in this direction."

Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh, said, "In view of the nations determined foray into renewable energy, this project would play a critical role as integrated manufacturer of equipment for solar industry and also help the state in being at the forefront of clean energy revolution promoting non-polluting industries. The SEZ would help the state in creating thousands of employment opportunities in the region and boost small and medium scale entrepreneurship in the state."

Present at the occasion, Mr. L Madhusudhan Rao, Chairman, LITL, said, "Lanco Infratech has been developing a number of solar projects and has been at the forefront in its commitment to develop and promote renewable energy in India. India's 1st Solar PV manufacturing SEZ would provide components not only for Lanco projects but for the whole industry. It would also help the country in developing critical technologies in the solar energy sector and prove as a stepping stone for future of solar power in India."