Tata Power is exploring an investment of around ₹2,500 crore in multiple solar projects in West Bengal, with a combined installed capacity of approximately 500 MW, as the company seeks land and assesses locations identified by the state government.
The plan remains at a preliminary stage, Tata Power CEO and Managing Director Praveer Sinha said on Thursday. The company is currently examining the viability of three or four locations offered by the West Bengal government, he said while speaking to media persons in Kolkata.
“Right now, it is very preliminary. So, we are identifying land. They (State government) have given us three-four locations. We have to go and see the viability of these locations,” Sinha said.
The proposed capacity may be distributed across several sites because securing one large parcel of land could be difficult in West Bengal. Sinha said individual projects could range from 100 MW to 500 MW, depending on the land available at each location.
“Everything will not happen in one place. In some places 100 MW will happen, in some places 200 MW, depending upon how much land we have,” he said.
The discussions combine utility-scale solar development with a separate push to expand rooftop solar adoption in the state. Tata Power said the West Bengal government has shown interest in promoting household installations through the Ghar Ghar Solar initiative. Tata Power Renewable Energy launched its Ghar Ghar Solar and storage battery solution in Kolkata ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations.
Sanjay Banga, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Power Renewable Energy, said the company had suggested that West Bengal consider additional incentives for households installing rooftop solar systems. He proposed a state subsidy similar to those available in Odisha, Bihar and Assam, ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per project.
“West Bengal should come up with some State subsidy, similar to what is available in Odisha, Bihar and Assam, ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per project, so that rooftop solar adoption in the State increases exponentially,” Banga said.
The proposed subsidy would be separate from the company’s land discussions for larger solar plants. The supplied details do not establish whether the West Bengal government has accepted the incentive proposal, finalised sites or approved the investment. Tata Power must first assess the viability of the locations before the project configuration and deployment schedule can be determined.
The announcement also came amid questions about leadership and governance differences between Tata Sons and Tata Trusts and their possible effect on the group’s expansion plans. Banga said Tata Power Renewable Energy is independently managed by the board of the publicly listed Tata Power and that the developments at the promoter level would not affect its planned growth.
“No, our company is part of a publicly listed company managed by the board, so it has nothing to do with this (ongoing promoter level differences issue),” Banga said. “The planned growth will continue,” he added.
The immediate next steps are the site visits and viability assessment for the locations identified by the West Bengal government. The company has not announced a final project timeline, confirmed site list or definitive investment commitment.
