India's first Solar Park to generate 3,000 MW electricity is coming up in Gujarat with the help of the Clinton Foundation The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) of the Clinton Foundation has entered into an agreement with the Gujarat government on September 7, one of the outstanding initiatives taken by the state government in the field of solar energy. Gujarat will be able to generate 3,000 MW solar power once a Solar Park with an investment of Rs 50,000 crore becomes operational. With CCI's help, Gujarat would also emerge as a global player in solar energy explorations are concerned, said government sources. The Gujarat government is considering several locations in Kuchch and Banskanta for setting up the Solar Park. On behalf of the CCI, its president Ira Magaziner signed the MoU with principal secretary (energy) S Jagdishan. Chief Secretary D Rajgopalan, principal secretary to C M K Kailashnathan, office-bearers of CCI and top officials were also present on the occasion. Referring to the policy initiatives taken by the state government, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi said, "Gujarat has the potential to emerge as a global entity in the solar energy sector. Our policy document on solar energy encourages solar energy exploration to its full potential. The three-fold rise within three years in the energy production through solar, wind and non-conventional means has placed Gujarat on the top. Comprehensive approach would boost research and development. Not only that, Gujarat would also emerge as the manufacturing hub of solar equipment. Gujarat is also committed to promote research and development in solar energy." Government sources said that Gujarat is the fourth government in the world which has set up a separate department for climate change. Future generations will benefit from the environment-friendly energy exploration initiatives. After implementing solar and wind energy policies, it intends to come up with the biomass energy policy. The chief minister also made an interesting suggestion: "Border Security Forces can set up solar parks in the wasteland near the India-Pakistan international border in Kuchch area." The Prime Minister had heartily welcomed the suggestion. More so, as in days to come, solar power is going to get cheaper. India has the scope to curb power crisis by developing solar energy in most parts of the country. Heat spells during the summer can be dealt by generating power through solar energy. The country should get maximum benefit of it to fulfill the demand not only domestic consumption but also meet the requirement of industries and farmers both for economic growth, said the government sources. The central government had finalised a draft for the National Solar Mission. It aims to make India a global leader in solar energy and envisages solar generation capacity of 20,000 MW by 2020. The Gujarat government has succeeded in attracting investors to invest in solar energy sector in the state. It is the first state in the country which has introduced such an attractive policy to promote generation of green and clean power in the state, said the government sources. Gujarat Energy and Development Agency (GEDA) and Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd (GPCL) are the state government agencies for facilitation and implementation of the Solar Power Policy - 2009. They will facilitate and assist the project developers and undertake various activities to achieve the objects and policy. By implementing solar policy, the state government has reiterated its commitment towards development of the renewable energy sector and climate change by allotting 716 MW of solar power capacity to 34 national and international project developers against 500 MW capacity declared earlier this year under its Solar Power Policy - 2009. Of the 716 MW allotments, the share of Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal technology is 365 MW and 351 MW respectively. The Gujarat government is also offering incentives in the new Solar Power Policy including complete exemption from electricity duty and demand cut of 50 per cent of the installed capacity. Gujarat will become a hub for solar energy with mammoth investment of over Rs 12,000 crore in the next five years, the 716 MW of solar power would generate 1,250 million units of Green Energy annually, avoiding use of 8.75 lakh tonne of coal on annual basis and avoiding 12.50 lakh tonne of carbon dioxide emission annually. It will also provide employment to over 5,000 people, said the government sources. "Burning fossil fuels gives off carbon dioxide, and the build-up of these greenhouse gases causes half of global warming processes. To cut back on fossil fuels, we should maximise the use of solar energy. At present, we are using coal, gas, oil to produce power, which imbalances nature and whole world worry about climate change. Country like India has huge potential to use solar energy but still awareness on it amongst people is very less. Solar Power Project with installed capacity exceeding 716 MW, that will secure India fourth rank after Germany, Spain and USA," said government sources.