Solar Power developer, Welspun Energy has beaten its own
record for the largest solar power project in Asia, with the unveiling of a 130
MW solar photovoltaic power plant in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh
this month. The project has overtaken
the Shams 1 solar thermal power project in UAE as the largest in Asia.
Implemented under the state’s solar power policy the
project, required an investment of US $177 million (Rs 1,100 crore) and Welspun
Energy is expected to sell the power generated to state-owned power
distribution companies at a price of US $0.13 (Rs 8.05) per unit.
The power plant is a significant addition to India’s rapidly
expanding solar power generation capacity, which stood at just over 2,200 MW at
the end of January 2014. The country added 972 MW of solar power capacity
during the 12 months prior to February 2014.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi ‘cut the red
ribbon’ on the Solar power plant,
calling it a “saffron revolution”, Mr. Modi said: “We have already seen the
green and the white revolutions; soon, we are going to see a saffron revolution
in the country”.
Energy demand is increasing in both India and the UAE and is
likely to soar this decade. To meet this demand, it is pivotal for both
countries to establish a strong foundation to adopt renewable energy.
India and the UAE have independently announced plans for the
adoption of renewables. India has set a target of 29.8 gigawatts in additional
renewable energy capacity by the end of 2017, taking its total to almost 55GW.
In the UAE, the various emirates have individual plans for
renewable energy. Dubai has announced a target of generating 5 per cent of its
total energy through renewables by 2030 and Abu Dhabi has plans for 7 per cent
by 2020, which would make for 3GW more of renewable energy in the UAE.
While the countries have very different requirements, both
are striving to diversify their energy mix with an aim to enhance energy
security and reduce dependence on conventional sources of fuel.
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