Kolkata: Central government is considering the proposal of the West Bengal government to build the largest solar power plant of the world.
“If sanctioned, the power plant planned in Purulia district will generate 250 MW of power,” S P Gonchaudhury said, who is also advisor to the state government’s power department. “There is plenty of land in Purulia. We are scouting locations near an existing water pumping plant in the Baghmundi area. The detailed project report is under consideration of the ministry of renewable energy,” Gonchaudhury added.
Moreover, the unique aspect of the project is that solar energy will be used to pump water during the day while the water stored in the process will generate electricity during the night when solar energy is not available. “The entire process will rely on non-conventional energy source, that is, solar and hydro, and will be completely green,” he added.
With an estimated cost of Rs1, 700 crore, the venture will top other solar power plants of 150-160 MW capacity.