Wednesday, September 18, 2013: Following the Rs 370 billion (Rs 37,000 crore) crude oil refinery in Barmer, Rajasthan will receive the biggest single-location solar plant in the world with an investment to the tune of Rs 300 billion (Rs 30,000 crore). Announcement regarding the mega project is supposed to be made in this month (September). As per a source in the chief minister office (CMO), a consortium has been constituted by five central public sector enterprises to carry out implementation of the venture, The Times of India reported. Jaipur-based CPSE Hindustan Salt Ltd., will back the project through its subsidiary Sambhar Salt Ltd. Other equity holders are BHEL, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Power Grid Corporation of India.
This solar plant with a capacity of 4,000MW will come up near Sambhar lake, about 70 km from Jaipur. Here, Hindustan Salt possesses 57,000 acres of land. In the first phase, 1000MW will be developed for which modalities are being charted out and few clearances are being obtained. This involves an investment worth Rs 75 billion (Rs 7,500 crore) spread across an area of 5,000 acres.
Moreover, the macro trends in the solar industry will act as a catalyst for the project in obtaining financial feasibility.
