Today, the Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the Pavagada Solar Park in Tumakuru District. The 2000 MW Pavagada Solar Park is touted as the largest in the world. The Pavagada Solar Park also called the Shakti Sthala (place of strength and power) is built on over 13,000 acres of Land. The Rs. 16,500 crores Pavagada Solar Park is spread across 5 villages.
According to a press statement the solar park project was built within a time period of 2 years with zero land acquisition. The farmers receive Rs. 21,000 per acre as rent for the land they leased; the amount has a scope to increase by 5% every 2 years.
The Karnataka State Energy Minister D. K. Shivakumar said, “Pavagada, in Tumkur district, is one of the most arid regions of our state. Over the last five decades, due to extreme weather conditions and low possibilities of economic growth, more than 10,000 people had migrated annually from Pavagada.”
Shivakumar further added, “To solve this problem, we are building the world’s largest Solar Power Park of 2000 MW in Pavagada taluk on mission mode. This ambitious project, spanning five villages, looks at farmers as the key partners, as also beneficiaries. Shakti Sthala is creating new job opportunities and economic growth leading to the prosperity of the people of Pavagada.” Pavagada is one of the most drought prone regions in Karnataka. The Government aims to help the local farmers and create a source of unlimited clean energy using this solar park.
