India approves world’s largest solar project
750-MW solar facility approved in Madhya Pradesh will be supported by a loan from the World Bank
The government of India’s Madhya Pradesh state has approved plans to build the world’s biggest solar power station, officials said on Tuesday.
The new 750-MW solar facility will be installed in Rewa district in the central Indian state and the project will be supported by a loan from the World Bank, according to state cabinet minister Narottam Mishra.
Officials have estimated the project will require a total investment of approximately INR 45 billion (US$712 million).
Madhya Pradesh’s New & Renewable Energy Department will provide the land needed for the project and has already created a joint venture with the central government to enable the commissioning of the plant.
The state-owned Power Grid Corporation of India will be tasked with establishing the transmission line for the solar park.
Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company will transfer 40 per cent of power generated from the power plant to the state government.
The plant is due to inaugurated on August 15, 2016 and will be developed in three sections of 250MW, according to the chief secretary of the New & Renewable Energy Department, Mohanty, who spoke to the Times of India earlier this year.
The development is part of the Indian Government's Ultra Mega Power Plants project, and the solar plant is expected to source photovoltaic modules from the domestic market.
