The Rajasthan Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Clinton Climate Initiative, a programme of US-based William J. Clinton Foundation, for setting up solar parks in the State. Each of the solar parks will serve as a concentrated zone of solar development and produce 3,000 to 5,000 MW power.
The MoU was signed between State Energy Secretary Naresh Pal Gangwar and Clinton Foundation chairman Ira Magaziner in the presence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot here on Monday.
Under the agreement, the CCI will provide technical and other support to develop solar parks at different places in the State. The project also envisages the establishment of an integral “solar city” where the raw materials such as glass and panels will be produced by the US group.
Mr. Gehlot, praising the MoU as a historic one, said it would help the State get more benefit of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission and meet its long-term energy requirements. He expressed the hope that Rajasthan would emerge as a leading State in electricity generation from solar power in the years to come.
According to an official release here, Mr. Magaziner said the foundation would shortly prepare a feasibility report on the development of solar parks in the desert State and identify and provide assistance to mobilise international resources for their development.
These resources could include solar energy developers, technology suppliers, sources of credit and investors to participate in the development of solar parks, according to the release.
The land for the solar parks has been identified at the initial stage at Badi Sid and Kan Singh Ki Sid in Jodhpur district and Bhadla in Jaisalmer district. These districts have a great potential for solar energy production as they receive the highest solar radiation in the country.
