Indian State Of Haryana Wins Approval For 500 MW Solar Power Park

Another state in India has approved construction of an ultra mega solar power project, boosting the Indian Government’s plan to set up 20 GW of large-scale solar power parks.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has approved a 500 MW solar power project in the northern state of Haryana. The ministry has asked the Haryana Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) to prepare a detailed project report following which the final formalities for the tendering and implementation will take place.

India aims to have 100 GW of operational solar power capacity by March 2022, including 20 GW from large-scale solar power projects in various states. Under this programme, the state agencies will ensure availability of land and grid connectivity while the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) will oversee the tendering process for the individual projects that will make up the large-scale solar power parks.

These large-scale solar power parks will be crucial for the states to increase the share of solar power in the overall electricity consumption (excluding that from hydro power projects) to at least 8% by March 2022. Haryana has set a target to have 4.2 GW of solar power capacity installed by March 2022.