Following the footsteps of its neighbouring Gujarat, Rajasthan too is planning to promote solar power in the state and a 2000 MW of project is already being planned. For this purpose 10,000 acres of land in Rajasthan has already been finalized. The project is likely to entail an investment of Rs.14,000 crore.
Apart from Rajasthan other states too are taking keen interest in promoting solar power as conventional power sector is facing many hurdles like delay in getting environment clearances and lack of clarity on fuel supply front. States which are finalizing tenders for solar power projects include Karnataka for 130 MW and 1,000 MW and Uttar Pradesh 200 MW. Bihar also has executed a 40 MW project and exploring the possibility of another 15 MW project. Madhya Pradesh has completed a 200 MW project and plans to add up another 300 MW solar project in its power portfolio.
According to Tarun Kapoor, Joint Secretary, MNRE, under the JNNSM Phase II, projects with total generation capacity of 10,000 MW is likely to be added by 2017. Currently, about 2,500 MW capacity solar power projects have been completed. The government is planning to promote large projects of 500 MW, 1000 MW and even 2000 MW capacity in the country to tide over electricity scarcity.
