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On 2015 Independence Day, India will have the world's largest 750MW solar power plant in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh, which will pip America's much-vaunted 550-megawatt Desert Sunlight solar project in California, commissioned four days ago. Acquisition of 1,500 hectares of land for the Rs 4000 crore project is nearing completion and government agencies are likely to invite tenders from developers by the end of April. The state government is setting up the plant in a joint venture with Solar Energy Corporation of India.

Additional chief secretary for new and renewable energy, SR Mohanty, said, "We are planning to inaugurate the plant on August 15, 2016. The plant will be developed in three segments of 250 MW each. Land acquisition will be over by end of month and over 90% land for the project is owned by government." Mohanty said, "No clearance from pollution control board is required for the project. We have to sign a joint venture agreement between state-run PSU Urja Vikas Nigam and Solar Energy Corporation of India and a detailed project report will be prepared. Preliminary reports are already prepared and we will complete formalities by April and we will be in a position to invite tenders."

By Premji