The BJP-ruled State Government on Tuesday granted permission in principle to develop world’s biggest 5,000 Mega Watt (MW) capacity solar park at Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR).
In lines with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to produce 175 Giga Watt (GW) from renewable energy by 2022, Gujarat will develop the solar park in 11,000 hectare area near Gulf of Khambhat.
Initial studies conducted have shown a tremendous potential for generating solar power. Gujarat Power Corporation ltd (GPCl), Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigandhi ltd (GUVNl) and Gujarat Electric Transmission Corporation (GETCO) along with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the Central Transmission Unit (CTU) are already on board.
“This solar park will not only create employment for locals but will also create opportunities for the entire supply chain to set up manufacturing facilities in the adjacent Dholera Industrial City” said the Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Talking to the Pioneer Jai Prakash Shivhare, Chief Executive Officer, Dholera Special Investment Region Development Authority (DSIRDA) said that construction of the massive solar park would attract an estimated investment of Rs 25,000 crores and employment opportunities for more than 20,000 people. Solar panel manufactures, heavy engineering companies and other businesses are already inquiring about the opportunities to setup facilities in Dholera, said Shivhare.
DSIR is the world largest Greenfield industrial township project being developed in 920 sqkm area near the Gulf of Khambhat in Ahmedabad district. Gujarat has partnered with the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) to build DSIR. Recently Dholera Industrial city was awarded the Platinum rating from the Indian Green Building Council and developing this solar park is further commitment of Gujarat to sustainability.
Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) headed by Gujarat CM is the nodal agency and the apex authority for the development of DSIR. Core functions including approval and modification in development plan, town planning scheme and general regulations will be performed by the apex authority.