Solar power financing seminar on April 18

In a bid to facilitate finances to the solar power projects being developed Gujarat, the state government agency, Gujarat Energy Development Authority (GEDA) will organise a seminar in partnership with Solar Energy Association of Gujarat (SEA) on financing avenues for the solar power projects in the state.

"Financing has remained a concern for the solar power projects. So, in order to facilitate the financing to these projects a seminar will be held on April 18. Apart from the companies which are developing the solar power projects in Gujarat, the seminar will see participation of bankers and financial institutions from across the country," said Pranav Mehta, president, Solar Energy Association of Gujarat - a body of the companies having stake in the solar power business in Gujarat.

Most of the companies that have signed the power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the state government are expected to participate in the seminar. "We have invited Debashish Majumdar, the chairman and managing director of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) for the keynote address. There will also be a business-to-business session for the companies and financiers to make agreements," added Mehta.

Gujarat has announced the country's first solar park near Patan. 88 companies have signed the MoUs with the government.

The construction work at the site is expected to take off soon.