Adani Green Energy Limited, an Adani Group company, is building the world’s largest renewable energy park in Khavda, Kutch district of Gujarat. The park is spread over 538 square kilometers, which is about five times larger than the total size of the French capital, Paris.
Khavda Plant Capacity
- According to Vineet Jain, Managing Director of Adani Green Energy, the total capacity of the Khavda plant will be 30 GW.
- Adani Group will invest Rs 1.5 lakh crore in this project.
- Currently, 2 GW of renewable energy is being produced from this park, and 4 GW capacity will be added by March 2025.
- Thereafter, 5 GW capacity will be increased every year.
Khavda Park’s Proximity to the Pakistan Border
- The Khavda Park is just 1 kilometer away from the international border with Pakistan.
- The share of solar energy in the proposed capacity of 30 GW is 26 GW, while wind energy will be 4%.
- When the park is fully operational, it will generate 81 billion units of electricity, which can supply the entire demand of countries like Belgium, Chile, and Switzerland.
Nodal Agency for Hybrid Renewable Energy Park
- Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited (GIPCL) has been appointed as the nodal agency for the Hybrid Renewable Energy Park.
- The project to build this park was prepared as part of Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and work on the project has been ongoing since 2021.
Reasons for Locating the Hybrid Renewable Energy Park in Kutch
- More than 1 lakh hectares of barren land is available near Khavda, located on the India-Pakistan border in Kutch, Gujarat.
- The weather in this region is favorable for both solar and wind energy generation.
- The area is sensitive from a security perspective, and permission was sought from the Defense Ministry to construct the park.
Challenges in Constructing the Hybrid Renewable Energy Park
- Challenges include humid air, salty water, salty soil, and security concerns due to the park’s proximity to the Pakistan border.
- Lack of basic facilities, including mobile networks, makes it difficult to retain workers on the project.
- There is a risk of Pakistani terrorists infiltrating the worker population.
Timeline for Completion of the Hybrid Renewable Energy Park
- 50% of the work will be completed by December 2024, with the production of 14,000 MW of electricity.
- The Hybrid Renewable Energy Park will be fully operational by December 2026, with the production of 30 GW of electricity.