The Indian government has approved a large solar power park in the western state of Rajasthan in a bid to push public sector companies to invest in renewable energy infrastructure.
According to media reports, the central government gave approval to 200 M W solar power park at Jetsar, Rajasthan. The project shall be set up at land owned by public sector company National Seeds Corporation.
The capacity of the project is expected to be at least 200 MW with a possibility of further expansion. NSC shall provide 400 hectares of un-cultivable land for the project and is expected allocate the project through competitive bidding, probably taking help from the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
While details of power sale have not been shared, the project shall be owned by NSC which is expected to meet its renewable purchase obligation from the project and may sell any surplus power to power distribution companies or any other interested buyers.
The Indian government has directed several public sector companies and entities, like Coal India, the Indian Railways, the Indian armed forces, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, NTPC, NHPC, NALCO and several others, to contribute towards the solar power capacity target of 100 GW by March 2022 and also meet its renewable energy procurement targets.