Modi to inaugurate 500-MW solar park in Patan district today

The park proposes to generate solar energy for 330 days a year,amounting to 5.5 to 6.0 KW per Sq.km solar radiation daily. The state government has agreed to buy 933 MW power under its new solar power policy. In phase one,the park will be constructed on 2,000 hectares,of which 1,000 hectares is wasteland while the acquisition process is on for the remaining area.

Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd (GETCO) has started work on transmission of the power to be produced on site. The state government intends to provide all the resources needed to produce electricity to ensure a saving of time and money both for the government and the energy producers.

According to the plan,plots will be given to the energy developers on a 30-year lease and facilities like water,electricity,roads,rainwater drainage,power transmission facility and others will be extended. Onsite studies like topography survey,geotechnical survey and others have been completed for the park,said an official.

The government also intends to establish projects like solar plant machinery manufacturing,research and development and others. The project will also develop the remote village and its neighbouring area as it will generate employment opportunities through assembling,civil works,electrical wiring,solar panel cleaning and related work.

The park is being established as a part of state government’s new solar policy and is likely to fetch an investment of

Rs 65,000 crore in the coming three to four years,said officials.

District collector J G Hingorajia said industrialists willing to set up solar power generation units could apply for allotment of plots after the inauguration. The spot has been selected for solar power projects because the Tropic of Cancer passes over the area.

The government’s Solar Power Policy-2009 encourages generation of green power,and the government plans to set up projects to generate 1,000 MW of solar power by 2012 and 3,000 MW in the next five years.

A total of 80 solar power project investors are reported to have approached the government to invest in the Radhanpur solar park and 54 have already entered into power purchase agreement to sell power to Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited.