New and Renewable Energy Minister Rajendra Shukla said that Madhya Pradesh was fast emerging as the new power hub in renewable energy sector. He said that in view of deteriorating environment, consumers should be supplied domestic electricity through renewable energy.
The Minister said the State Government had made concrete arrangements to promote generation of power through renewable sources.
Shukla specially urged investors to invest in solar energy sector. Shukla was addressing a sectoral seminar on "Solar Power in MP" during Global Investors Summit at Indore on Thursday.
Shukla said that solar power generation capacity in the State was 356 MW in year 2014, which will increase up to 2654 MW in year 2017. Shukla informed that conditions of solar energy generation are conducive in Madhya Pradesh. Solar radiation in the state was 6.2 KWH per square meter during 300 days a year.
The Renewable Energy Minister informed that solar power projects are operating in Neemuch, Shajapur, Dhar, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Rewa, Khandwa, Sheopur Kalan, Rajgarh and Guna districts. He informed that 20,000 hectare land has been identified for solar power. Shukla said that world's first ultra mega solar power plant is being set up in Rewa, which will generate 750 MW power. He informed that
country's biggest 130 MW solar plant is being established in Neemuch district.
Additional Chief Secretary Renewable Energy SR Mohanthy informed that Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Rewa and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh are being developed as Solar Cities. He informed that the Central Government has assigned work to Madhya Pradesh to install 50 thousand solar pumps.
Joint Secretary Tarun Kapoor, MD of Welspun Energy Vineet Mittal, MD of Solar Energy Rajendra Neemje and Union Joint Secretary Varsha also informed about ongoing works in solar energy sector.