In February 2014, Finnish energy company Fortum equipped three schools from Bhilwara, Rajasthan, where 1200 students study, with solar-powered infrastructure. Amidst heat wave in Rajasthan, where mercury goes beyond 45 degree Celsius, it is a normal phenomenon to see a more than half of the students drop out.
Fortum India also helped to improve the quality of life in Gulabpura Tehsil by providing solar infrastructure to students and villagers. Solar street lights were installed in the Beed ka Kheda village and solar lamps were presented to every local family. It also built solar-powered toilet facilities for students in two adjoining schools – Senior Secondary Government Girls School, Gulabpura and Senior Secondary Government School, Badala.
Awadhesh Kumar Jha, VP Solar at Fortum India said this initiative has given a sense about solar energy utilisation among the young citizens, and made them understand the value that solar energy can bring to the society.
Fortum has also installed solar panels in the primary and secondary schools in Kapeli, Madhya Pradesh, which has benefited 250 students. Also the only clinic in the village received solar panels to ensure uninterrupted medical aid. It also constructed a 10,000 litre water tank in the village which spared them the arduous 6-km walk to the nearest water hole.
Mr. Jha said “solar will drive India’s energy future and hence we are keen to promote the sense of green and clean energy among the people.”
Fortum’s mainly operates in the Nordic and the Baltic countries, Russia and Poland. In 2014, the annual sales (excluding the divested electricity distribution business) totalled EUR 4.1 billion, and comparable operating profit was EUR 1.1 billion. The company employs approximately 8,000 people.
Fortum India currently has 15 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity in India. In January 2016, Fortum won a reverse auction for a 70 MW project with a fixed tariff for 25 years. In addition, on 12 April 2016, Fortum decided to bid for an additional 100 MWs in India, with a fixed tariff for 25 years.
