The Rajasthan government is gearing up to build an 'Ultra- Mega Green Solar Power Project' close to Sambhar Lake, 75 km from the Jaipur capital.
The power plant, which will spread across 23,000 acres of land, will be world's largest solar energy project when completed.
Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises (MHIPE) Praful Patel had asked the state department to initiate the process of setting up the 'Sambhar Ultra -Mega Green Solar Power Project' near the lake.
On Friday, MHIPE announced that the total capacity of the power plant, when completed, will cross 4000 MW.
"When the project is fully commissioned, it will generate 6000 million units of power per annum. The project will supply power to the distribution companies of various States through the National Grid," the ministry said.
"The first phase of the project, which will be of 1000 MW capacity, is likely to be commissioned in three years i.e. by the end of 2016," said the minister.
The first phase will be implemented through a joint venture between BHEL, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., SJVN, Sambhar Salts Limited and REIL.
Based on the implementation of the first phase, the remaining capacity would be implemented through a variety of public- private or just public partnerships.
"Being the first project of this scale anywhere in the world this project is expected to set a trend for large scale solar power development in the world," Patel added.
The project is part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission which was launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2010. The mission has an ambitious target of deploying 20,000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022.
However, the move is also seen as a pitch by the Congress government for the upcoming State Assembly elections later this year.
