Government plans 4,000 mw of solar thermal capacity in Rajasthan

Making it the next hub for solar power in the country, government plans to set up 4,000 mw of solar thermal power capacity in Rajasthan. "We have discussed the plant with the Rajasthan government and we aim to set up a solar thermal capacity near the Sambhar salt lake in Jaipur," said Farooq Abdullah, union minister for new and renewable energy.

This facility will be largest solar thermal park in the world . "It will be commissioned in phases. The first phase would be of 1,000 mw," said Abdullah. This would be the first such solar thermal power park in the country.

The only solar park in the country is based in Gujarat with a current capaity of 214 mw and is expected to generate 500 mw when fully commissioned in 2014. The park however acomodated only solar photovoltaic facilities.

Rajasthan currently has 660 mw of solar power generation capacity and 2,700 mw of wind power.

Solar thermal power plant not only generates power but also caters to the fuel needs. Solar thermal is currently used extensively in pilgrimages and temples like Akshardham, Delhi and Shirdi in Maharashtra as kitchen fuel.