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Govt keen on solar park in Marathwada

The Centre is keen to set up a solar power park in Marathwada if the state government provides land for it, Union minister of state for power Piyush Goyal said on Sunday. Stating that the region could be ideal for generating good amount of solar energy, he said the government firms will be asked to further explore the available possibilities.Goyal, who commissioned the 47.6 MW wind power project installed by public sector undertaking Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) at Khirvire in Akole taluka, appealed to SJVN authorities to take the lead in setting up a solar power park in Marathwada.Emphasising on the use of renewable energy, the minister said the government has plans to carry out competitive bidding of wind power on the lines of solar power.

"The bidding process introduced in the solar power sector has resulted into reduction in the prices by 40-45%. We have plans to introduce a similar bidding process for wind power as well. These measures will eventually benefit power distribution companies," Goyal said."

The Khirvire project has 15 wind power turbines, each having 850 kv energy capacity. The project will have 56 turbine units and annual energy generation of 85.65 million units of electricity. It has been linked to a 132 kv transmission line from Akole. As per the execution schedule, the project will be fully commissioned during the current financial year," stated an official release.