Solar city plan for Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior and Rewa

MP government has identified more than 20,000 hectares for setting up solar power projects in the state. This is keeping in view PM Narendra Modi's thrust on developing renewable energy sources.

The state government has identified more than 20,000 hectares for setting up solar power projects in Madhya Pradesh. This is keeping in view Prime Minister Narendra Modi's thrust on developing renewable energy sources and the fact that state has high solar radiation with more than 300 days of clear sun days.

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"In the next three years, we hope to lead in solar and wind power energy sector in country," state energy minister Rajendra Shukla told micro, small and medium entrepreneurs on the second day of Global Investors' Summit held on Thursday.

Shukla, who hails from Rewa, where world's largest solar power plant is to come up, said Indore, Gwalior, Bhopal, Rewa will be developed as solar cities. The proposal for Jabalpur is under consideration.

Making presentation on solar and wind energy development in state, renewable energy department additional chief secretary Sudhir Ranjan Mohanty said renewable energy sector has attracted investment worth Rs 30,000 crore in couple of years. "MP is no longer marginal player. Our contribution in developing renewable energy is one of the highest in country," he remarked.

According to Mohanty, the expected installed capacity of solar and wind energy is expected to reach 810 MW and 950 MW respectively by March 2015. The entrepreneurs present at the interactive session asked department officials from New Delhi and Bhopal about the wind and solar energy production cost and how frequently would the state government revise tariff plan.

Other questions pertained to interest rate which department's financial arm would charge on loans. They were told that government is in process of amending policies and rules to facilitate them.