Scheme for Development of Ultra Mega Solar Parks
The Government has rolled out a scheme for development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects on 12th December 2014 which envisages setting up at least 25 Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects targeting over 20,000 MW of solar power installed capacity within a span of 5 years starting from 2014-15. The solar parks will have suitable developed land with all clearances, transmission system, water access, road connectivity, communication network, etc. This scheme will facilitate and speed up installation of grid connected solar power projects for electricity generation on a large scale. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. All the States and Union Territories are eligible for benefits under the scheme. Based on the proposals received, till date, 17 solar parks of aggregate capacity 12,739 MW has been approved to 12 States.
The Minister further stated that under the scheme, the Ministry provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of Rs. 25 lakh per solar park for Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation of the Solar Park, conducting surveys, etc. Beside this, CFA of up to Rs.20.00 lakh per MW or 30% of the project cost, including Grid-connectivity cost, whichever is lower, is also provided on achieving the prescribed milestones in the scheme.
The Minister further stated that this Ministry has received a letter dated 24/10/2014 from Secretary (Energy Department) Government of Tamil Nadu regarding solar parks of sizes smaller than 100 MW. Under the existing scheme, solar parks of large capacity i.e. 500 MW or more can be set up. Separate proposal was received from Tamil Nadu for setting up of one solar park of capacity 500 MW at Ramanathapuram Distt., which has been approved by the Ministry, the Minister added.
RM/RS- USQ5997 - LS