The Gujarat Hybrid Renewable Energy Park or Khavda Solar Park is an under construction renewable energy park located near Vighakot village in Kutch district of Gujarat, India. It is located very close to the international border with Pakistan. It is expected to generate 30 gigawatt (GW) electricity from both solar panels and wind turbines when completed, over an area of 72,600 hectares (726 km2). 1 GW capacity was commissioned in March 2024.
| Gujarat Hybrid Renewable Energy Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | India |
| Location | Vighakot, Kutch district, Gujarat |
| Coordinates | 24°07′N 69°21′E / 24.117°N 69.350°E |
| Status | Under construction |
| Construction began | 15 December 2020 |
| Construction cost | ₹150,000 crore (US$18 billion) |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Wind farm | |
| Type | Onshore |
| Site usage | Wasteland |
| Site area | 72,600 ha (726 km2) |
| Power generation | |
| Units planned | 1 × 30000 MW |
| Nameplate capacity | 30000 MW |
Project
editWhen completed, the park will generate 30 gigawatt electricity from both solar panels and wind turbines. It will spread over an area of 72,600 hectares (726 km2) of waste land.[1][2] When completed, it will be the biggest hybrid renewable energy park in the world.[1] The 30 GW energy could power 18 million Indian homes.[3]
The composition of the park will be as follows:
| Zones | Total land (hectares) | Developers | Allocated land (hectares) | Permitted capacity (MW) | Installed capacity (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid wind-solar power zone | 49,600 | Adani Green Energy (AGEL) | 19,000 | 9,500 | 2,500 |
| Sarjan Realities | 9,500 | 4,750 | |||
| NTPC | 9,500 | 4,750 | |||
| Gujarat Industries Power Company (GIPCL) | 4,750 | 2,375 | |||
| Gujarat State Electricity Corporation | 6,650 | 3,325 | |||
| Wind power zone | 23,000 | Solar Energy Corporation of India will invite competitive bidding | 23,000 | 11,500[5] |
The Power Grid Corporation of India will manage the electric power transmission.[4] The park is expected to generate 100,000 jobs and attract an investment of ₹150,000 crore (US$18 billion). It also accounts for 5 crore tonnes carbon emission reductions each year.[1] The government also has plans to install 14 GWh grid-scale battery storage system.[6]
The Ministry of Power has planned to build the transmission infrastructure at cost of ₹18,598 crore (US$2.2 billion) to evacuate 7 gigawatt of power from the park.[7]
History
editThe proposal of the park was approved by the Government of Gujarat on 9 September 2020, allocating 60,000 hectares (600 km2) of land. The proposal had mentioned total 41.5 gigawatt capacity.[8] The foundation stone of the project was laid on 15 December 2020 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[1][2] The 30-km road leading to park was constructed.[9][10] In March 2024, AGEL commissioned 1 GW capacity which needed the installation of 2.4 million photovoltaic modules. AGEL had secured funding for the construction 2.1 GW capacity.[11] GIPCL's 600 MW capacity is under construction.[12] The first 250 MW wind power came online in July 2024.[13]
The park is expected to achieve the half of its capacity by December 2024, and become fully complete by December 2026.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Bigger than Singapore, Bahrain! World's biggest, hybrid renewable energy park in Gujarat to attract huge investment!". The Financial Express. 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
- ^ a b "Gujarat to get India's largest renewable energy generation park". ETEnergyworld.com. 2020-12-14. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
- ^ "India building world's largest renewable energy project in salt deserts bordering Pakistan". mint. 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ a b "Explained: A look at India's sprawling renewable energy park, coming up on its border with Pakistan". The Indian Express. 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
- ^ "How Gujarat is building 'world's largest' solar power park, close to its border with Pakistan". 7 April 2021.
- ^ "Govt eyes 14GWh battery storage system in Kutch". 20 September 2021.
- ^ Ramesh, M. (2023-06-09). "Power Ministry plans ₹40,000-cr transmission infrastructure to evacuate RE power from Gujarat, Rajasthan". BusinessLine. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "Proposal for 41.5 GW Hybrid Renewable Park in Kutch Approved". www.saurenergy.com. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ Sirur, Simrin (2021-04-07). "How Gujarat is building 'world's largest' solar power park, close to its border with Pakistan". ThePrint. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
- ^ a b "Khavda renewable energy park to become operational in two yrs". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ Jacobo, Jonathan Touriño (2024-03-12). "Adani commissions 1GW at Khavda PV park, world's 'largest' solar project". PV Tech. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "Gujarat Tenders BoS Package for 500 MW Solar Project at Khavda - Mercom India". Mercomindia.com. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ Sanderson, Cosmo (24 July 2024). "First wind power fires up at Indian billionaire Adani's 30GW renewable mega-project". rechargenews.com.