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WORLD'S LARGEST RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK IN GUJARAT'S KHAVDA REGION

13th April, 2024

WORLD'S LARGEST RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK IN GUJARAT'S KHAVDA REGION

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Context

  • In a remote area bordering Pakistan, Gautam Adani's group has built the world's largest renewable energy park in Gujarat's Khavda region, boasting a massive 45 GW capacity for generating electricity largely from solar energy.
  • Adani's group proceeded to install solar panels, erect windmills, and establish worker colonies and desalination plants, turning the barren land into a thriving hub of renewable energy production.

Development Plans:

  • Investment: Adani Green Energy Ltd plans to invest approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore to generate 30 megawatts of clean electricity at Khavda, aiming to add 4 GW in the current fiscal year and 5 GW annually thereafter.
  • Challenges: The area's remoteness presents challenges like heavy dust storms and lack of infrastructure, but Adani Group has undertaken measures to address them.

Power Generation and Ambitions:

  • Scope: At its peak, Khavda will generate 81 billion units of power, equivalent to powering entire nations such as Belgium, Chile, and Switzerland.
  • Ambition: Adani Group's renewable energy plans aim to generate 500 GW of electricity from non-fossil sources by 2030, contributing to a broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Construction and Infrastructure:

  • Preparation: Extensive studies and assessments were conducted before commencing development, including geotechnical investigations, seismic studies, and feasibility assessments.
  • Initiative: Construction began in 2022, focusing on infrastructure development, including roads, drainage systems, desalination plants, and enhanced connectivity measures such as laying optical fiber cables.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss India's renewable energy ambitions, including targets, achievements, challenges, and government policies driving the transition. Assess the socio-economic and environmental impacts of these initiatives and propose strategies to address implementation challenges.