Rajasthan Chief Minister Approves Land Allocation for Four Major Solar Projects

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has approved the allocation of land for the establishment of four major solar projects. According to an official statement, a total of 5,690 hectares of land has been allocated for these projects, which aim to enhance the state's solar energy capacity significantly.

The Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company will receive 4,780 hectares of land to develop three solar parks with a combined capacity of 2,450 MW in Bikaner district. These include two solar parks of 1,000 MW each and one solar park of 450 MW. Specifically, 1,881 hectares in Surasar village of Pugal tehsil have been approved for the first 1,000 MW park. 

For the second 1,000 MW park, 2,000 hectares will be allocated, with 1,194 hectares in Surasar and approximately 807 hectares in Bhanavatwala village. Additionally, 900 hectares in Sardarpura village of Chhattargarh tehsil have been allocated for the 450 MW park. Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation will develop these solar parks in three phases under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's Solar Park Scheme.

In Phalodi district, NTPC Renewable Energy Limited has been allocated 910 hectares in Bhadla village of Bap tehsil to establish a 500 MW solar project.

Chief Minister Sharma highlighted the significance of these projects in making Rajasthan self-reliant in the energy sector, creating local employment, and boosting economic activities. He also emphasized the environmental benefits, stating that these projects would reduce annual carbon emissions by approximately 200,000 tons. The solar parks will employ state-of-the-art solar panels and grid technology to increase energy production capacity. The projects are expected to attract investments of around INR 10,000 crore, with a 33 percent subsidy as an MNRE-approved initiative, and are slated for completion within the next two years.

In a related development, the state government signed MOUs in March worth INR 1,50,000 crore to establish 3,325 MW of thermal projects and 28,500 MW of renewable energy projects. These projects are joint ventures with Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited, NTPC Limited, NTPC Green Energy Limited, Coal India Limited, and NLC India Limited. 

An MOU with Powergrid Corporation aims to strengthen the transmission system through a joint venture with a 26:74 shareholding ratio, involving an investment of INR 10,000 crore. Furthermore, Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam and SJVN signed a power purchase agreement to supply electricity from 600 MW solar energy projects.

Additionally, the state has initiated the process to establish 3,200 MW coal-based projects and 8,000 MW solar energy projects through tariff-based bidding, expected to attract investments of around INR 64,000 crore.