Karnataka Announces 500 MW Solar Park In Madhugiri
(MENAFN- KNN India)
Karnataka, Jul 2 (KNN) In a significant move towards expanding Karnataka's renewable energy capacity, Energy Minister K J George announced plans on Monday for a new solar park in Madhugiri, Tumakuru district.
The proposed project aims to emulate the success of the existing solar park in Pavagada and is part of the state's broader strategy to achieve energy security while promoting environmental stewardship.
The Energy Department's initiative comes as Karnataka seeks to solidify its position as a leader in solar energy production. Minister George highlighted the potential scale of the project, stating, "To produce 1 MW of solar power, we need close to four to five acres of land. Similarly, we can produce 500 MW of energy if we can get land spread across 2,000-2,500 acres."
Local support for the project appears strong, with Madhugiri MLA K N Rajanna pledging assistance in identifying suitable land for the solar park. The Energy Department plans to tailor the project's capacity based on the available land in the region.
In a notable development, the Madhugiri Solar Park will be developed in partnership with the Central Government-owned Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Limited (THDCIL).
This collaboration is expected to bring together local expertise and national resources, enhancing the project's viability and success prospects.
The announcement of the Madhugiri Solar Park comes amid a broader push for renewable energy adoption in Karnataka. During a review of Energy Department projects in Tumakuru, Minister George also urged farmers to participate in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme. This central government initiative offers subsidies to farmers who switch to solar-powered pump sets for irrigation.
Addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector, George noted, "The subsidy for free electricity for farmers' pump sets is increasing annually. Despite efforts to regularise farmers' pump sets, the issue persists, leading to transformer damage and power supply disruptions due to illegal connections."
The minister emphasised that promoting solar pump sets through the KUSUM B and KUSUM C projects could help alleviate these issues while providing farmers with a reliable power supply.
(KNN Bureau)
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