600 MW now in operation at 2 GW Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka

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The 2 GW Pavagada solar park, located in the Pavagada Taluk, Tumakuru District of Karnataka is spread over a total area of 53 km². It is being recognized as the largest photovoltaic solar power plant under construction and termed as ‘Shakti Sthala.’

As of today, 600 MW has been commissioned, and 1,400 MW is under construction, which is expected to be completed by December 2018.

Out of the commissioned capacity, Fortum has 100 MW, Tata Power has 100 MW plus 50 MW under DCR category, and the rest by other solar developers.

To develop the solar parks in Karnataka, the joint venture company Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation Ltd (KSPDCL) has been formed by Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL) and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Thus, the pavagada solar park is identified.

The solar park is divided into 40 blocks of 50 MW each.

Indicative layout plan of 2 GW solar park at Pavagada Taluk, Tumkur District, Karnataka

Image: KSPDCL

The power generated at the solar park will be transmitted to the central grid by Powergrid, which will construct a 400/220kV station. The long-term open access (LTA) and grid connectivity applications have been submitted by KSPDCL to Powergrid for according the approval to bring the power generated at solar park to the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) grid.

Cooperation with Farmers

Siddaramaiah mentioned that the framers land had neither had been acquired, nor had they lost ground for the project. However, the area has been leased out for 28 years.

Adding to that, 2,300 farmers of five villages of Pavagada taluk have leased out 13,000 acres of land at INR 21,000 per acre per annum with 5% increase once in two years, the Hindu reported. They have joined the government as partners, shareholders, stakeholders, and are also beneficiaries of the mega project.

According to reports, the solar park will help to boost economic activity in the most backward and drought-prone Pavagada taluk.

Karnataka is ambitious in promoting renewable energy in the state, especially solar. To achieve the total 2 GW operational capacity at Pavagada, KREDL has tendered 1.2 GW of solar on February 1, 2018. As of February 2018, Karnataka had commissioned approximately 3.2 GW of Solar.

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