From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 28: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaranaiah will inaugurate what is described as the world’s biggest Solar Power Park spread over 13,000 acres in Pavagada taluk o Tumakuru district on Thursday March 1.
Easily the Asia’s largest Solar Power Park, the Pavagada Solar Power Park spread across five villages of the taluk would generate 2,000 MW of power by September 2018.
Upon inauguration, the solar power park would now generate 600 MW.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Rajkumar Singh and Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar, will present at the launch.
The Solar Power Park is developed with investments of Rs 16,500 crore.
The Solar Power Park is financed and co-developed by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the State government, and developers who pay upfront charges.
Pavagada, known to be a dry and drought affected taluk, is expected to benefit the 2300 farmers of the five villages to earn returns of Rs 21,000 per acre annually as the farmers are assured a return of Rs 3.30 per unit.
Under the Karnataka Solar Policy 2014-2021 announced in May 2014, several innovative policies and initiatives are being implemented in every corner of the state.
As a source of unlimited clean energy, the Pavagada Solar Power Park will give more power to the people of Karnataka and create new employment and act as an incentive for the natives and farmers to explore new opportunities of socio-economic growth in the taluk.
“We are on a mission to give more power to the people and ensure people’s participation in the quest for unlimited power at each step of every initiative, by making them shareholders, stakeholders, partners and beneficiaries. From the thousands of solar farmers to youth, women, students, energy corporations, the participation of the people in Karnataka’s power sector has been truly remarkable. Over the past four years, many innovative initiatives and practices have been undertaken to ensure that people have uninterrupted access to power, and it is the people who have helped us as partners and stakeholders,’’ Shivakumar said.
Karnataka’s power situation is transforming. From 14030 MW capacity in 2012-13, the state has witnessed an overall increase in capacity to 23379 MW as on January 2018.
Power generated through Hydel, Thermal, Nuclear and Biomass, and the efforts of Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) and Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL) are resulting in more power for the people. Promotion and deployment of large scale energy efficiency measures are being undertaken. Consequently, Karnataka will be swiftly moving ahead in achieving power self-sufficiency, the minister added.