World’s largest solar park ‘Shakti Sthala’ focuses on helping local farmers in Karnataka

Bangalore, March 1: Seeping renewable energy into every nook and corner of the country, India has rightfully installed solar power stations in every part. Inciting renewable sources, Karnataka installs the world’s largest solar power plant. The Pavagada Solar Park, with a 2000 Mega Watt (MW) capacity spread over 13,000 acres, has been inaugurated by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today.

The solar park is called Shakti Sthala with 2000 MW, is situated at Pavagada in Tumakuru district in Karnataka. The park is worth Rs 16,500 crore and is spread over 13,000 acres of land across five villages. This project has been majorly successful because of people’s participation in power generation model put forward for implementing it.

 

The park, located in the dry region of Pavagada, will help 2,300 farmers earn up to Rs 21,000 per acre of land. Pavagada, being the most drought-prone state, perceived on large-scale migration over the last decade. With the solar park, the government aims to help local farmers and also create a source of unlimited clean energy.

Shivakumar tweeted, “This mega project was conceptualized, planned & built in just three years and is a testament of our commitment towards development.”

Here are the salient features of the solar park:

· Known as Shakti Sthala, the solar park with the capacity of generating 2000 MW power was created by 2300 farmers.

· It is spread over 13,000 acres of land across five villages and is worth Rs 16,500 crore.

· No land acquisition happened for building the Shakti Sthala. Instead, farmers will get Rs 21,000 per acre as rental.

· The tariff per unit has been fixed at Rs 3.30 per unit.

Karnataka has seen an overall increase in power generation capacity to 23,379 MW in January this year from around 14,030 MW in 2012-13.