Cabinet approves 200 mw solar project at Jetsar in Rajasthan

The Cabinet approved a proposal to provide 400 hectares of barren land at Central State Farm (CSF), Jetsar in Rajasthan for setting up of more than 200 mw solar power plant.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for utilisation of 400 hectares of un-cultivable farm land at the Central State Farm (CSF), Jetsar in Sri Ganganagar District, Rajasthan for setting up of a solar Power Plant of capacity exceeding 200 mw," an official statement said.

The land is in the possession of National Seeds Corporation (NSC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the statement added.

The solar power plant will be set up by a CPSE, which would be selected through negotiation.

NSC will provide 400 hectares of un-cultivable land, out of the 5394 hectares under its possession to the identified CPSE, which will bear the costs relating to the installation of the Solar Power Plant.

The selected CPSE will have to do tariff based competitive bidding for the project. It will be allowed to utilise the land for the installation of a solar power plant over a contract period of 25 years, which may be extended on mutually agreed terms and conditions, after which the entire plant will be surrendered to the NSC on as is where is basis.

The project, by utilising un-cultivable land for a solar power project, will yield revenue for NSC and will also generate clean energy for the nation, it added.