The state has so far received approval for three solar parks, which include India’s largest 5,000MW park at Dholera near Ahmedabad, 700MW at Radhanesada and 500MW at Harshad.
New Delhi: Gujarat has emerged has as the top state in terms of approved power generation capacity in various solar parks. Out of the total 26,449MW capacity approved in 45 solar parks in 22 states, Gujarat has received the nod from the Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) for developing the maximum 6,200MW capacity spread across three solar parks.
The state has so far received approval for three solar parks, which include India’s largest 5,000MW park at Dholera near Ahmedabad, 700MW at Radhanesada and 500MW at Harshad. Both Radhanesada and Harshad parks are being developed in Banaskantha district.
Gujarat is followed by Rajasthan with approved capacity of 4,331 across six solar parks and Andhra Pradesh with 4,160MW (four solar parks), states a report prepared by the Union ministry.
Gujarat government has already set the ball rolling for its biggest solar power project in Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR).
The bids for setting up the first 1,000MW power projects are likely to be invited this month.
“There is a new hope for Gujarat in the wake of announcement of new mega solar park at Dholera along with two other parks.
Dholera will be a very good location for the park as the government is giving a lot of importance to the project. However, the government should provide power evacuation facility on priority basis,” said Pranav Mehta, chairman-elect of the Global Solar Council.
Industry players, however, also opine that investor sentiment in solar sector has been adversely affected due to issues such as ambiguity over GST and applicability of safeguard duty to pipeline projects.
“These bottlenecks should be cleared first,” said an industry player.
The speedy execution of these solar projects is likely to help Gujarat improve its position among solar power generating states.
Gujarat was once the top state with the highest installed generation capacity. However, the state has slipped to fifth position with other states racing ahead.
Source: energy.economictimes.indiatimes
