India News | CM Bhajanlal Sharma approves land allocation for 4 solar projects aimed at energy self-sufficiency

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma (Photo/ANI)

Jaipur (Rajasthan) (India), June 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Sunday approved land allocation for four large solar projects, a step towards making Rajasthan self-reliant in the power sector.

The approval covers a total of 5,690 hectares of land for the construction of solar parks in Bikaner and Phalodi districts with the aim of transforming Rajasthan into an energy surplus state.

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According to a press release, the CM Sharma-led state government has emphasized on quick decision-making to position Rajasthan as a leading and self-reliant state in the energy sector.

Specifically, Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company has been allocated 4,780 hectares of land for three solar parks with a total capacity of 2,450 MW in Bikaner district. Additionally, NTPC Renewable Energy Limited has been allocated 910 hectares for a 500 MW solar project in Phalodi district.

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Two solar farms with a capacity of 1,000 MW and one with a capacity of 450 MW will be built in Bikaner district. The first park will be spread over 1,881 hectares in Surasar village, Pugal tehsil, while the second park will cover an area of 2,000 hectares in Surasar and Bhanavatwala villages. The 450 MW park will be located on 900 hectares in Sardarpura village, Chhattargarh tehsil.

Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation will construct these solar parks in three phases under the solar parks program of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the central government.

Sharma also approved allotment of 910 hectares of land to NTPC Renewable Energy Limited to set up a 500 MW solar project in Bap tehsil village of Bhadla in Phalodi district.

The Prime Minister stated that these solar projects will make Rajasthan self-reliant in the power sector and will be a milestone in the development of the state. He said these projects would create jobs locally and give new impetus to economic activities in the region.

Sharma mentioned that these solar projects will also play a significant role in environmental protection, reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 200,000 tons. These solar parks will use state-of-the-art solar panels and grid technology to increase energy production capacity. These projects will attract investments worth around INR 10,000 crore, he added. As an MNRE-approved project, it will receive a 33 percent subsidy and could be completed within the next two years.

Notably, under Sharma’s leadership, the state government had signed MoUs worth INR 1,50,000 crore on March 10 to set up 3,325 MW thermal power projects and 28,500 MW renewable energy projects as joint ventures with Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited, NTPC Limited, NTPC Green Energy Limited, Coal India Limited and NLC India Limited.

An MoU was signed with Powergrid Corporation to strengthen the transmission system by setting up a joint venture with an ownership ratio of 26:74, involving an investment of INR 10,000 crore. Additionally, Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam and SJVN have signed a power purchase agreement to supply electricity from 600 MW solar power projects.

The process of setting up 3,200 MW coal-based projects and 8,000 MW solar power projects through tariff-based bidding has also been initiated, which will attract investments of around INR 64,000 crore. (OR)

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