Is Nearly 70% of Rajasthan’s Power Capacity from Renewable Energy?

New Delhi, July 20 (NationPress) Nearly 70% of Rajasthan’s power capacity is now derived from renewable energy, with an impressive total of 35.4 gigawatts installed. This includes 29.5 gigawatts from solar and 5.2 gigawatts from wind, as stated by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi.

The state has emerged as a symbol of hope, energy independence, and self-reliance, remarked the minister during the inauguration of the 435 megawatt Gorbea Solar Power Project, developed by Zelestra India, in Rajasthan.

He hailed the Gorbea project as a prime example of what can be achieved through visionary leadership and genuine intent. “With each megawatt we produce, we are not merely generating power; we are constructing a New India,” he noted, adding that the project signifies the rapid pace and scale of transformation.

The Gorbea Solar Power Project, completed in under eight months, covers 1,250 acres and is supported by a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

This initiative will yield 755 gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, sufficient to power around 1.28 lakh homes and mitigate approximately 7.05 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

The minister emphasized that this project has transformed farmers into stakeholders in India’s energy future, as the land utilized has been leased from them, providing a stable income. “Our farmers are no longer just food producers; they are now energy providers as well,” he added.

Throughout the construction phase, over 700 local workers were employed, fostering livelihood creation and skill enhancement. Joshi also highlighted that the complete evacuation infrastructure, including an on-site substation and a 6.5-kilometre transmission line, was finalized in just five months.

The project incorporates state-of-the-art solar panels (TOPCon bifacial mono PERC modules) and utilizes over 1,300 robotic cleaning units to ensure optimal performance. Joshi referred to this facility as world-class and encouraged the widespread adoption of such technologies.

In reference to his visit to IIT Bombay, the Minister discussed ongoing advancements in Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells and encouraged Zelestra and Rajasthan officials to investigate pilot projects utilizing this cutting-edge solar technology. He stated that such innovations could significantly enhance energy productivity in high-irradiance regions like Rajasthan.

Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, more than 49,000 rooftop installations have been achieved in Rajasthan, with over Rs 325 crore in subsidies distributed. He urged for quicker implementation, given the 2.7 lakh applications already submitted. Under PM-KUSUM, around 1.45 lakh solar pumps have been installed.

The minister remarked that India has met its goal of achieving 50% of its installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of the 2030 deadline.