'Gujarat Government is determined to build solar parks and develop the State as solar energy hub', said Energy Minister of State Shri Saurabhbhai Patel on the occasion of singing up of MoU between Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), for building up of non-conventional energy power station. State Government is eyeing on non-conventional energy sources to meet the growing demand for electricity, to step up industrial growth and to reduce the production cost of electrical power, he said.
Banaskantha, Kutch and Patan districts are picked out for building of solar energy power stations. The first project will be initiated at Lorwada in Banaskantha district, which will produce 50 MW of electrical power with the investment of 500 crore, added Shri Patel.
As per the MoU, State Government will help NTPC in acquiring land and transition of electricity whereas NTPC will use its technical abilities in building up of the power plant. Besides, both the companies will check for the possibilities of using other non-conventional energy sources in the State for power generation.
Union Energy Minister of State Shri Bharatsinh Solanki said on the occasion that solar power is cost efficient than thermal and hydro power and so being used all over. Central Government has built solar energy plants in Rajasthan, Madhyapradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat, he said.
Principal Secretary to Energy Department Shri D.J.Pandyan, MD of Gujarat Energy Development Agency Shri R.S.Sharma, Shri V.S.Gadhavi, officers of concerned companies and energy department were present on the occasion.
