January 13, 2015: Rajasthan, the state which is seen as the most potential in terms of developing and commissioning solar power projects, has set a goal of 355MW of solar power plants by April 2015. The goal is set as a part of the state’s efforts to generate 25,000MW of renewable energy in the coming years. This goal will be followed by another 50MW projects which will be commissioned by September 2015. The bidding process of the 50MW projects is under way.
Each MW of solar power requires an investment of Rs 80 million.
Moreover, the state government had also recently signed an MoU with Sun Edison India and Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services to set up a solar park with a power generation capacity of 5000MW.
The Rajasthan government’s new policy is aimed at making the state a leader in solar power generation, thus offering energy security and sustainable growth. The policy, one of the government official shares, has received good response from corporate houses and after it was declared as investor friendly policy.
The state has seen an overwhelming response for the policy from private players including ACME, Azure, Green Today, Sun Edison, Solar Direct, Laxmi Diamond and Welspun. These players have already started the exercise to set up solar power projects in the state.
With the new policy, the government aims to bring power supply to urban, rural and remote areas. Moreover, the policy is a positive for farmers as the government has amended Rajasthan Tenancy Act and Rajasthan Land Revenue Act to give them rights to set up solar power plants on their agricultural land or sub-let the same to set up solar power plant.
The land allotted by government for the solar purpose will be given at district level committee rate, much lower than the actual market rate.
