Eden Renewables, a 50:50 joint-venture between EDF Renewables and Total-Eren, has recently participated in Indian solar auctions, where record low tariffs were discovered. Patrick Charignon, Asia-Pacific vice-president of Paris-based EDF Renewables, tells FE’s Anupam Chatterjee why the global utility thinks that India is a good investment destination for renewable energy, and what can be done more to encourage companies. Edited excerpts:
Why has EDF chosen India as one of its important investment destinations for renewable energy development?
The Indian government ambition is to triple its solar capacities within two years from 35 GW to 100 GW, and EDF, as a global key player in renewables, is very honoured to contribute to this ambitious target for climate change. This participation involves, to a large extent, solar development, of which the costs have drastically decreased in 10 years and benefit from the good irradiation conditions of the country. EDEN Renewables is now an established solar power producer in India, clearly accelerating last year with the signature of long-term PPAs for four solar power projects totalling 716 MW in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, which are currently under construction. This trend is now being confirmed with the additional recent successful participation in SECI’s and NHPC’s 2020-solar tenders. EDEN Renewables has won three projects of 300 MW each, to be built by 2022.
