Shakti Sthala: 600 MW first stage of Pavagada solar park inaugurated

Karnataka is ahead of all states in the generation of solar power said Energy Minister D K Shivakumar.  

He was speaking at the inauguration of the 600 MW first stage of solar park at Shakti Sthala in Pavagada taluk, Tumakuru district, on Thursday.  

The minister revealed that 3,628 MW was being generated in the state.

In comparison, Gujrat was generating 1,585 MW; Madhya Pradesh 1,537 MW, Tamil Nadu 1,822 MW and Telangana 1000 MW.  

He stated that Karnataka's total generation from all sources, conventional and unconventional, had risen from 13,000 MW in 2013 to 22000 MW in 2018.  

Despite many issues, the state had achieved self-sufficiency in power generation the minister added.  

Shivakumar said that the Shakti Sthala solar park will also be converted into a tourist spot and importance will be given to setting up of industries in the region to  provide  employment for local labour.  

"This solar park belongs to, and is for, the farmers of the region. The government is thankful to them for giving up their lands for the project," the minister said.  

He said that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appreciated the state government for this achievement and indicated that other state governments must replicate the effort.    

'Eighth wonder'  

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who inaugurated the solar park, called it the 'eighth wonder of the world'.  

He said with the commissioning of the solar park, the fortunes of Pavagada taluk now change. "The solar park has opened the gates for investors to come set up industries in the taluk," he added.  

He also added that this was not his election speech. "I will come another day to expose the opposition parties, " he quipped.