Solar energy parks to be set up by year-end

Centre pushes 20 states to have mega plants; generation target of 13,000 Mw

The ministry of new and renewable energy is planning to set up around 13,000-Mw of solar park projects by the year-end, after a push from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Spread across 20 states, projects would be executed by the state governments and financed by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ministry.

After the PMO pushed for expediting solar power development, the ministry started taking weekly updates on these parks. Detailed project reports (DPR) for around 10 are ready and funds released for some.

Senior MNRE officials said they were pushing the states to move fast. "It will help states achieve their targets to be a part of the 100,000-Mw solar power network by 2022," said one.

Rajasthan, given its vast expanse of arid land and high solar power potential, would have three solar parks, two of 1,000 Mw each and one of 680 Mw. It would be executed by the new Surya Urja Company of Rajasthan Limited, a dedicated entity to explore the potential of solar power and attract investments. Andhra Pradesh would have two of 1,500 Mw and 1,000 Mw each, to be developed by the state power department.

Madhya Pradesh would develop two parks of 750 Mw each. Tenders for one have been issued. Karnataka would develop a 2,000-Mw solar park. Punjab would have two parks of 500 Mw each.

SECI would provide Rs 25 lakh to power developers for preparing DRPs. It would also provide 20 per cent or Rs 20 per Mw of the investment required for land acquisition, financial closure, construction of pooling sub-station, transmission lines and grid connectivity. Several power project would come up at one park and the cumulative output would be pooled and fed to the grid.