SOLAR energy will be a medium of energy needs in the 21st century as it is sure, pure and secure: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated a 750 MW Solar project set up at Rewa in Madhya Pradesh aimed at reducing carbon emission as part of the Govt’s programs to fight pollution. The Rewa project ,stated to be largest one of its kind in Asia, will reduce carbon emission equivalent to about 15 lakh ton of CO2 per year. Solar Energy would be a major medium for providing the energy needs of an aspirational India in the 21st Century, said PM Modi. Solar Energy is ‘Sure, Pure & Secure’. Sure because of the continuous supply of Energy from the Sun, Pure as it is environment friendly and Secure because it is a secure source for our energy needs, he said. Prime Minister termed such Solar Energy projects are a true representation of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).The economy is an important aspect of self-reliance and progress. Referring to the regular dilemma whether to focus on Economy or Ecology, Prime Minister said India resolved such dilemmas by focussing on Solar Energy Projects and other environment friendly measures.  Economy and Ecology are not contradictory but complementary to each other, he said.In all the programs of the government, priority is being given to environmental protection as well as Ease of Living. He referred to programmes like Swachch Bharat, supply of LPG cylinders to the poor households, the development of CNG networks as one which focussed on Ease of Living and improving the lives of the poor and the middle class. The Prime Minister said that the protection of the environment is not limited to just a few projects, but it is the Way of Life.

The project comprises three solar generating units of 250 megawatt each located on a 500-hectare plot of land situated inside a Solar Park. The Solar Park was developed by the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited , a Joint Venture Company of Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited, and Solar Energy Corporation of India, a Central Public Sector Undertaking.  Central Financial Assistance of 138 crore rupees has been provided to RUMSL for development of the Park. The Rewa Solar Project was the first solar project in the country to break the grid parity barrier. An official statement claims that compared to prevailing solar project tariffs of approximately 4.50 rupees per unit in early 2017, the Rewa project achieved historic results. This means a tariff of 2.97 rupees per unit with a tariff escalation of 0.05 paise per unit over 15 years and a levelized rate of 3.30 rupees per unit over the term of 25 years.