The world’s largest solar park Shakti Sthala, is being set up in Karnataka. The park will be established at a total investment of Rs. 16,500 crore at Pavagada in Tumakuru district, Karnataka. This is the first phase of total 2,000 megawatts (MW) solar park that will generate 600MW electricity from solar energy.
The solar project Shakti Sthala is launched in the drought-prone Pavagada which is 180 Kms away from main city Bengaluru. Right now the first phase will generate 600MW power and rest 1,400MW will be generated after the completion of all phases which is expected to be done by the end this year.
The project is the part of Karnataka state “Karnataka Solar Policy 2014-2021”. The policy aims to reduce the dependence on traditional power sources and efforts to make use of environmentally friendly ways to generate power to meet the needs of people in state.
The Karnataka Solar Park is spread over 13,000 acres and in five villages and is the largest in the world. It ties with center govt. scheme to generate 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power by 2020.
The land for the world’s largest solar park in Karnataka is taken on lease for a period of 25 years from farmers. As a compensation, government will pay an annual rent to almost 2300 farmers at Rs. 21,000 per acre. The rent will be incremented by 5% after every two years.
The area where solar plant in Karnataka is established was declared drought-hit in 54 of the last 60 years. This move is intended to curb the mass migration of people.
About Karnataka:
- Southwest state of India
- Capital: Bengaluru
- Official Language: Kannada
- Formation day: 1 November 1956
