SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL) has scripted a landmark chapter in Assam’s energy history with the commissioning of the state’s first large-scale solar power project, a 70 MW plant at Dhubri. The project was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, marking a decisive shift towards clean and sustainable power generation in the region.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Assam Power Minister Prasanta Phukan, Chairman and Managing Director of SJVN Bhupender Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) and Chairman of APDCL Dr. Krishna Kumar Dwivedi, Managing Director of APDCL Rakesh Kumar, Director (Personnel) of SJVN Ajay Kumar Sharma, and senior officials from both the Assam government and SJVN.
Addressing the gathering, Bhupender Gupta credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for accelerating India’s renewable energy transformation. He also acknowledged the support of Union Power Minister Manohar Lal and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, stating that sustained policy backing from the Centre has enabled public sector enterprises like SJVN to execute large-scale green energy projects efficiently.
Gupta expressed gratitude to the Government of Assam and Assam Power Distribution Company Limited for providing land and institutional support, which ensured the timely execution of the project. He said the Dhubri Solar Power Project reflects SJVN’s growing focus on renewable energy and its commitment to strengthening energy security while supporting India’s climate goals.
Highlighting the socio-economic impact, Director (Personnel) Ajay Kumar Sharma said the project has generated employment for local residents during both construction and operational phases. He added that the supply of clean electricity from the project would significantly enhance Assam’s renewable energy mix and reduce dependence on conventional power sources.
The solar power plant has been developed on 330 acres of land at Khudigaon Part-II village in Dhubri district, leased from APDCL for a period of 28 years. SGEL was awarded the project on February 16, 2023, through a tariff-based competitive bidding process at a competitive tariff of ₹3.92 per unit. The total EPC cost of the project stands at ₹367.44 crore.
Designed to operate at a Capacity Utilization Factor of 23 percent, the plant is expected to generate 141.13 million units of electricity in its first year of operation. Over its projected lifespan of 25 years, cumulative generation is estimated at around 3,230 million units. The project will also contribute to environmental conservation by reducing carbon emissions by nearly 1,58,270 tonnes.
The Dhubri project holds special significance as it is not only Assam’s first utility-scale solar installation but also SJVN’s maiden operational venture in the North Eastern region. The foundation stone for the project was virtually laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 4, 2024, reinforcing the Centre’s focus on renewable energy expansion in the North East.
SJVN Limited, a Navratna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Power, has traditionally been a major player in hydroelectric power. In recent years, the company has diversified aggressively into solar and wind energy through its subsidiary SGEL, aligning itself with India’s long-term vision of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
With the successful commissioning of the Dhubri Solar Power Project, SJVN has not only expanded its renewable footprint but also positioned itself as a key driver of green energy growth in the North Eastern region, paving the way for future investments in sustainable power infrastructure.
