Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the ultra-mega solar power-plant (generating 750MW) in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, on Friday. But claims by BJP ministers and leaders that it was Asia's largest solar power-plant have not gone down well with the Congress.
BJP Central Govt is claiming today that it inaugurated Asia's Largest Solar Plant of 750 MW at Rewa, MP
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) July 10, 2020
What then is the 2000 MW Solar Plant in Pavagada, Karnataka which was built in just 3 years by @INCKarnataka govt and has been operational since 2018?pic.twitter.com/FbR0cLvYqw
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief D.K. Shivakumar took to Twitter to express his ire.
"The BJP-led Central government is claiming today that it has inaugurated Asia's Largest Solar Plant of 750MW at Rewa, MP. Now, what is the 2,000MW solar plant in Pavagada, Karnataka, which was built in just 3 years by @INCKarnataka govt and has been operational since 2018?," asked Shivakumar, who, as the then state energy minister, had piloted the Pavagada project.
Further, Shivakumar stated that the Pavagada solar park was unique because not a single acre of land had been acquired from the farmers. "All 13,000 acres have been leased from the farmers who are being given yearly rent. The Karnataka model of renewable energy was accepted as the best in India," he said.
Shivakumar dared the Union power minister to answer as to how the Central government could claim that Rewa Solar Park (750MW) was the largest in Asia, when the Pavagada park was much larger (2,000MW) and was opened two years back.
The Pavagada park was developed by the Karnataka Solar Park Development Corporation Limited (KSPDCL), a joint venture between the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the Karnataka Renewable Energy (KREDL). The lands were taken on an annual rent of Rs 21,000/acre, with provision for revision.
Of the total 2,050MW capacity, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) implemented 600MW of solar PV projects, SECI implemented 200MW, while KREDL implemented 1,250MW. The last 200MW capacity was commissioned in December 2019.
Interestingly, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on January 19, 2020, had tweeted to share the news saying, "India Takes Lead in Clean Energy: World’s largest solar park at Pavagada in Karnataka is now operational. Generating 2050MW of clean energy, the park is located on land leased from farmers, utilising the drought-hit area & adding to farmers’ income."
