Author: PPD Team Date: 07/03/2025
Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up 1,500 MW of solar power projects and a 1,600 MW thermal power plant in Rajasthan.
The deal marks a significant milestone, it is the first time in its 136-year history that SCCL, a state-owned enterprise from Telangana, has entered into a joint venture with the power utility of another state. This new venture will operate with a 26:74 shareholding between RRVUNL and SCCL, respectively.
The upcoming thermal power plant will equally benefit both states, with Rajasthan and Telangana each receiving 800 MW from the project. Under the agreement, RRVUNL will finalize the sites for both solar and thermal plants and hand them over to SCCL for development.
SCCL is not new to power generation. While primarily known for coal mining, the company already operates a 1,200 MW thermal power plant and has 245.5 MW of solar power capacity, with plans to scale up to 450 MW by 2026. This latest partnership is part of Singareni’s broader business expansion strategy, leveraging Telangana’s rich coal reserves and Rajasthan’s abundant solar potential.
Beyond Rajasthan, SCCL has multiple projects in the pipeline. The company is preparing to start coal mining at the Naini Block in Odisha by the end of the month and has proposed a 1,600 MW thermal power plant near the mine. SCCL is also working on setting up a 2×800 MW thermal plant in Odisha, further diversifying its operations.
Singareni is making moves across segments, with ongoing and planned projects in renewable energy, thermal power, and pumped storage. Some key developments include:
- A 500 MW pumped storage project at Medipalli Opencast Mine (RG1), with consultancy bids invited in December 2024.
- A proposed 100 MW hydroelectric project at Jawahar Khani Opencast Mine in Telangana.
- Expansion of the Ramagundam thermal power plant with an additional 800 MW unit.
- Plan to add two 800 MW units for the expansion of the Adilabad Coal-Based Power Project.
- A 500 MW round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy project with firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) capacity, for which SCCL invited consultancy bids in September 2024.
- A 67.5 MW solar power project in Mandamarri, Telangana, with project management consultancy (PMC) bids invited in May 2024.
- Bondada Engineering Limited’s contract worth Rs 4.33 billion to develop the 67.5 MW Mandamarri solar project as part of Telangana’s 232 MW Solar PV Power Projects Phase II.
Singareni Collieries’ latest projects show its aggressive expansion into both thermal and renewable energy. With joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and a diverse energy portfolio, SCCL is making its mark as more than just a coal company.