Gujarat major contributor to nation’s solar might

With its solar power generation capacity of more than 600 MW, Gujarat contributes more than two-thirds of the total solar power generation capacity of the country, senior government officials said.

According to officials, the total solar power generation capacity of the country is around 900 MW, of which Gujarat alone accounts for the lion's share of over 600 MW. "These figures clearly show that Gujarat has taken the lead in harnessing solar energy to generate power. Other states are following in our footsteps," DJ Pandian, principal secretary, energy & petrochemicals department, said.

The steps initiated by the state government to promote solar power generation include setting up of a Solar Power Park at Charanka in Patan. The park with 214 MW of solar power generation capacity is the largest of its kind in Asia. It will be formally dedicated to the nation by chief minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

According to officials, the Gujarat Power Corporation Limited has already initiated plans to set up the second phase of the Solar Park at Vav in Banaskantha.

"We are planning significant capacity additions in solar power generation in the coming years,"
Pandian said.