Clinton Foundation signs MoU for solar power park in Guj

Eyeing to become the largest solar power producer in the world, government of Gujarat on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Clinton Climate Initiative- programme, of the William J Clinton Foundation, for developing the world’s largest solar park. The proposed 3,000 MW solar plant project entails investment of around Rs50,000 crore and is expected to create employment opportunity for around 20,000 people.

“In the last four years, Gujarat has trebled its capacity in renewable energy sector. The MoU shows government’s concern for the green energy in which power will be generated in an environment friendly way. It will open up a new era of development and prosperity in the areas which have so far been less developed because of waste lands,” said Narendra Modi, chief minister of Gujarat.

“The proposed park will make a global solar power generation hub. Besides generating power, the state will also undertake research and development work and manufacturing of equipments used in solar power plants;” added Modi. The parks will be set up in Patan, Banaskatha, Kutch and Surendranagar.

Clinton Foundation gave full credit to Gujarat government for its selection of the state for the park. “State government’s enthusiasm for clean energy got us here. Besides, the favourable solar condition in the state was another important issue,” said Ira Magaziner, chairman of the Clinton Climate Initiative. The project is expected to be operational in 2012-13.