AMBITIOUS SOLAR PLAN

The 4,000 MW ultra mega solar power project (UMSPP) planned at Sambhar lake of Rajasthan is the first of the four such projects conceived in 2013 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, and the Ministry of Power. It would be set up and executed by six Central public sector units (CPSUs). The other three projects would come up at Khargoda in Gujarat and at Ladakh and Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir.

Responsibilities among CPSUs have been divided, as is the equity share. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd will supply equipment; Solar Energy Corporation of India will sell electricity; Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Ltd will look into operation and maintenance; Power Grid Corporation of India will look into power evacuation; Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam will be in charge of managing the project, and Sambhar Salt Ltd which is a joint venture company between the Centre’s Hindustan Salts Limited and the Rajasthan government will provide land. It will be set up in phases. The first phase aims at achieving 1,000 MW by the end of 2016.