Adani Enterprises has opened a new 100MW solar plant in Bathinda district in the Indian state of Punjab.
Adani Green Energy built the plant, which was inaugurated by Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
The company invested about INR64bn ($95.7m) in the plant, which is considered to be the largest plant in the state
The Deputy Chief Minister noted that not only the 232 farmers who have given their land on lease for the project will be benefitted but it can act as an inspiration for others to follow.
He also noted that the state government is planning to add another 25000 acres to solar power. Apart from this, the state plans to bring basic amenities like sewerage facilities, solar lights and concretised streets to more than 12000 villages in the state with an estimated cost of INR 350bn ($5.24bn) in the next five years.
Punjab’s New and Renewable Energy Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said that we are in a time when solar power is emerging quickly as a core sector with great opportunities for the future.
He also noted that the state had attracted huge investments in the solar power sector. In the year 2012, there was just about INR 820m ($12.2m) of investment which has now increased to INR 100bn ($1.5bn).
The districts of Mansa, Bathinda and Muktsar are now emerging as hubs for solar power in the state.
The present solar plant in Bathinda has been commissioned six months ahead of its schedule.
Adani Group, Renewable Energy Business CEO Jayant Parimal said: "We are moving closer to our aim of revolutionising the renewable energy sector in India."
Adani also has a 40MW solar plant in Bitta, Gujarat. The company recently unveiled a 648MW solar project in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.