French Minister Segolene Royal inaugurates solar park in Delhi

French Minister for Sustainable Development and Energy Segolene Royal and Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia have inaugurated a 21 MW solar park, which is set up in Punjab.

The solar park has been set-up by a French Solar company, Solairedirect, and is spread across 40 hectares in the Fazilka town on Punjab.

According to reports, the park will generate 39 Gigawatt Hours per annum. Royal, who is in India for the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit said that the park was an example of fine engineering.

"This wonderful example of Indo-French engineering coming together in this project, I think, is one of the key elements of success in this project," said Royal.

The rapidly falling cost of solar power, which is expected to reach parity with conventional energy by 2017, has ignited interest in its potential in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has looked to industry for help in funding what could be a USD 100 billion expansion in clean energy.

Meanwhile, Royal said that the project was a 'win-win partnership'.

"It is also a project that shows sharing. It is a win-win partnership that has taken place and this double economic model is very original," she said.

India has committed to a huge expansion in renewable energy and improving the energy efficiency of its rapidly growing economy, while at the same time increasing its burning of coal to meet the bulk of its growing energy needs.