Heavy storm, lightening damage part of 125-MW Sakri solar power project in Maharashtra

Heavy storm and lightening in Dhule district of Maharahstra have caused severe damage to a part of the 125-megawatt (MW) solar power project located at Sakri.

Nearly 50-MW plant of this 125-MW solar project of state power generator Mahagenco suffered damages as lightening struck one of the isolators at the plant and the storm damaged the solar panels at around 5 pm on Wednesday, according to the officials of the utility.

"The damage was to the extent of 30 kV (kilovolts) and all the restoration works were carried on immediately. The isolator has been replaced and the generation has started from today as soon as the plant started getting sun radiation," one of the officials said.

Till many years ago, this 125-MW plant, commissioned in 2013, was touted as the world's largest single location plant as it was spread across 400 acres of land.

This project was developed by two firms, including Lanco Power for 75 MW capacity and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) for 50 MW capacity, at a cost of over Rs 1,600 crore.

The project was backed by German financial institution KfW.

According to the officials, the damage was caused to the MEIL project.

"Due to the strong winds and rain, the roof of the inverter room, was blown away and the 33 kV grid connected to the plant had tripped. All these have been restored," the official added.