Rajasthan set to get largest solar plant

21 Sep Times of India

After the Rs 37,000 crore crude oil refinery in Barmer, Rajasthan is set to get the largest single-location solar plant in the world with an investment of Rs 30,000 crore and the announcement of the mega project most likely to come this month.

While top government officials are unwilling to flesh out details and are quietly preparing the pitch for poll-bound chief minister to unveil the project in grand style before the election code of conduct becomes effective, a source in the CMO said five central public sectors enterprises have formed a consortium to implement the venture. The project will be anchored by Jaipur-based CPSE Hindustan Salt Ltd through its subsidiary Sambhar Salt Ltd with BHEL, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Power Grid Corporation of India being the other equity holders.

The 4,000 MW solar plant will be set up near Sambhar lake, about 70 km from Jaipur, where Hindustan Salt has 57,000 acres of land in its possession. But the source said modalities are being worked out and some clearances are being sought to develop 1,000 MW in first phase which will require investments of Rs 7,500 crore spread over 5,000 acre area. “The shareholding pattern of the project has more or less been finalized and all the CPSEs in the consortium would have equity holdings. The project is expected to be operational in three years,” said the source. Confirming the development, a source in the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation said all the loose-ends of the project are being tied up to announce the big-ticket event soon. There was a meeting on Tuesday where the state’s chief secretary CK Mathew sought to put in place all modalities, he added.