22 August 2013
JODHPUR: Asia's largest single location solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant with a generation capacity of 55 MW was commissioned on Wednesday. The project was part of the first phase of the National Solar Mission.
Union renewable energy minister Farooq Abdullah and chief minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the solar energy plant, which is commissioned by Welspun Energy Limited, at Ravra village in Phalodi. The two leaders also laid the foundation of another upcoming solar energy park in the area; calling the development a giant step towards making Rajasthan not only a pioneer but a hub of solar energy production in the country.
This solar project located near Phalodi in Jodhpur district was developed in three phases of 15, 15 and 20 MW and completed in five months. The company in its statement said that 2.5 lakh homes can be provided electricity through this project, which can reduce carbon emissions by 83,220 tonne annually.
Abdullah said his ministry has aggressive growth plans to generate and illuminate every household through clean energy and this project is a testament of it.
Gehlot said that Phalodi will have 1000 MW solar power plants in the time to come, which will make the region a hub of solar energy. "We have a huge potential for solar energy and we are trying our best to tap it to the fullest through a liberal solar energy policy under which several facilities are being extended to the investors on a priority basis", he said adding that a separate entity called Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company Limited has been constituted for development and management of the solar parks.
He said that 899 companies have so far got themselves registered with the government for setting up their projects with a total installed capacity of 18,476 MW. "So far, 873 of them have been sanctioned, out of which projects with installed capacity of 484 MW have already been established and the rest are in progress", the CM said.
Referring to Bharla Park whose foundation was also laid on Wednesday, he said it was announced in 2012-13, and will be developed in three phases.
"For the first phase, 3000 hectare land has been earmarked and seven investors have already been shortlisted for setting up their plants of 75MW capacity here", he said adding that land allotment is underway. For the second phase, a survey of another 5000 hectare land has been completed, of which 2875 hectare has been found feasible for the park.
Published by: The Times Of India