When it comes to solar power aspirations in India, the state of Gujarat figures in the list prominently. The government has been more than willing to accommodate usage of solar-powered products by offering subsidies, low power tariffs and easy loans on solar-energy products.
Another intiative taken by the state is to promote canal-based solar power projects, thereby negating the use of land. Damodar Valley Corporation (DMC) has already decided to set-up close to 2,500 canal-based solar power plants in the region and moving in the same direction, Eastern Powers will be responsible for setting up such plants on the riverbed, which drastically reduces the cost of acquiring land.
The government of Gujarat has decided to join hands with Eastern Powers, a Mumbai-based company to set up canal-based solar power generation projects.
The state government will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Eastern Powers and Systems Pvt Ltd soon for a 1000 MW canal-based solar power project.
The company will sign the proposed MoU with the state energy and petrochemicals department and SSNNL. Currently, per MW cost of installation for a canal-based solar power plant is between Rs 170 million and Rs 260 million, which should come down gradually.
