India to build world's largest solar power plant in Rajasthan

India to build World's Largest 'Ultra- Mega Green Solar Power Project' near Sambhar Lake, 75 km from Jaipur in Rajasthan which will generate 4,000 MW from sunlight. The power plant, which will spread across 23,000 acres of land, will be world's largest solar energy project when completed.  Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises (MHIPE) Praful Patel had asked the state department to initiate the process of setting up the 'Sambhar Ultra -Mega Green Solar Power Project' near the lake. On Friday, MHIPE announced that the total capacity of the power plant, when completed, will cross 4000 MW. "When the project is fully commissioned, it will generate 6000 million units of power per annum. The project will supply power to the distribution companies of various States through the National Grid," the ministry said.

Transmission utility Power Grid will develop the project, with estimated investment of R30,000 crore in partnership with BHEL, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, Hindustan Salt and Solar Energy Corporation, sources close to the development told FE.  The land will come from over 20,000 acres in possession of Hindustan Salt near the Sambhar lake, which is India’s largest saline lake and source of most of Rajasthan’s salt. Most of this land is unused and uninhabitable and considered ideal for solar projects as the area also gets good intensity sunlight throughout the year. The project is part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission which was launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2010. The mission has an ambitious target of deploying 20,000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022.