AREVA Solar is building a 250 megawatt concentrating solar project (CSP) in Rajasthan, India. It’s the largest CSP project in all of Asia, according to AREVA Solar.

The company is building two, 125 megawatt CSP systems using its Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology. The technology uses a series of flat reflectors arranged to focus sunlight on water-filled tubes, heating the water into steam that powers a steam turbine generator. The company focusses on using low-cost components that are relatively common and easily manufactured, allowing for them to be locally produced, according to Katherine Potter, a spokesperson with AREVA Solar. In India, 80 percent of the projects’ components are being locally sourced, she said.

Construction on AREVA Solar’s first generating system in Rajasthan already is underway. "It received a limited notice to proceed in July 2011," Potter said. It’s slated to begin production in May 2013.

At this point construction hasn’t begun on the second project. “The notice to proceed is expected in 2013," Potter said.

The news comes as India moves forward with plans to add in 20 gigawatts of solar into its power mix by 2022. Much of that, like this project, will bring new generation capacity to the country. The electrification can help decrease poverty in the region and increase business.

AREVA Solar was chosen as the technology provider by Reliance Power, which is India’s largest private power generating company. It has a portfolio of 1.2 gigawatts.

“This is AREVA Solar's largest contractual award,” Potter said. The company, a subsidiary of France-based AREVA Group, has been working on other projects throughout the world as well, and not just stand-alone projects. It’s technology can supplement existing power plants, and is doing so. “The company is building a 44 megawatt solar augmentation project at a coal station in Australia and recently announced a 5 megawatt solar augmentation project for Tucson Electric Power in Arizona,” she said.

In all, AREVA Solar now has a portfolio of 500 megawatts of solar projects in development or construction phases, according to the company.