Govt to set up 4,000 MW solar project in Rajasthan

The government today said it has initiated the process of setting up 4,000 MW ultra mega green solar power project near Sambhar lake in Rajasthan.

"The Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) initiated the process of setting up the Sambhar Ultra Mega Green Solar Power Project in the 23,000 acre area of Sambhar Salts Limited (SSL), subsidiary of Hindustan Salts Limited (HSL) located in Rajasthan," an official release said.

The government has finalised setting up of the project in Rajasthan, in the SSL area close to Sambhar Lake, with a total capacity of 4,000 Mega Watt (MW). Therefore, this will be the largest solar based power project in the world, it said.

"The first phase of the project, which will be 1,000 MW is likely to be commissioned in three years i.e. by the end of 2016," the release said.

"The first phase of the project is expected to be implemented through a joint venture (JV) company to be formed with equity from BHEL, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Power Grid Corporation, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Ltd," it said.

Based on the experience gained during implementation of the first phase of project, the remaining capacity would be implemented through a variety of models, it added.

When the 4,000 MW of project would be fully commissioned, it will generate 6,000 million units of power per annum. The project will supply power to the distribution companies of various states through the National Grid, the release said.

Being the first project of this scale, it is expected to set a trend for large scale solar power development in the world, it added.