World’s largest Solar Park: Shakti Sthala

The Chief Minister of Karnataka recently inaugurated the first phase of a 2,000 megawatts (MW) solar park in the drought-prone Pavagada region of Tumkur district, about 180km from Bengaluru. The southern state claims that this solar park is the World’s largest solar park. The park has been named as “Shakti Sthala”.

The park’s development is anchored by the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corp. Ltd (KSPDCL), an entity formed in March 2015 as a joint venture between Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL) and Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI).

Before Shakti Sthala, a 648-mw power project set up by the Adani Green Energy, part of the Adani Group, in Tamil Nadu in 2016 was billed as the world’s largest solar plant. In future, Rajasthan’s Bhadla solar park coming up in Jodhpur district will have a capacity of 2,255 MW when fully operational.

Some facts regarding the Pavagada Solar Park

• The total capacity of Solar Park is 2,000 MW
• The solar park generated 600 MW power as of January 2018 while an additional 1,400 MW is expected to be generated by December 2018.
• The park spans across 13,000 acres spread over five villages.
• Total project cost has been stated at Rs 16,500 crore.

 Watch Video:  World’s Largest Solar Power Park 2000 MW is now in Karnataka India

Shakti Sthala Solar Park: What makes it stand apart.

Other than the capacity of 2000 MW which has made it largest, the solar park is unique as it has been executed within a record time of two years, with zero land acquisition. The land for the solar park has been taken on a 25-year lease by the government from around 2,300 farmers, and in return, they are paid an annual rental of Rs 21,000 per acre, with scope for a 5% increase every two years. It is a benchmark in the unique people’s participation in power model put on ground.

Additionally, the park will create employment and act as an incentive for natives and farmers to explore new opportunities of socio-economic growth in the region.