Rajasthan Targets 30 GW Solar Power Capacity by End of FY25.

The Rajasthan government aims to produce 30 gigawatts (GW) of solar power by the end of FY25, positioning itself as a leader in the power and energy sector, according to an official statement. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's objective is to bolster the state's energy security, reduce dependency on imported fuels, and support the vision of a self-reliant India.

In March, the Rajasthan government and NLC India signed an agreement to form a joint venture for establishing a 1,000 megawatt (MW) solar power plant and a 125 MW lignite-based power plant in Bikaner, with an investment exceeding ₹7,000 crore. Recently, the government approved land for four major solar projects, including three solar parks in Bikaner with a combined capacity of 2,450 MW and a 500 MW project in Phalodi.

These projects are expected to transform Rajasthan into an energy powerhouse, attract investments worth ₹10,000 crore, and promote sustainable development. Rajasthan is already a leading state in solar energy production, with an estimated output of 142 GW.

With electricity demand rising by 8-10 percent annually, the government aims to obtain 43 percent of its power consumption from solar energy by 2030. Last year, the state installed 15,195 MW of solar power plants.

The state is also enhancing the PM Kusum Solar Pump Plant initiative, aiming to install solar pumps in over 50,000 farms and generate 200 MW of electricity in the next few years. This initiative is expected to provide substantial financial support to farmers, particularly benefiting scheduled castes and tribes through subsidies and other benefits. It also promotes renewable energy adoption and plays a crucial role in energizing agriculture in the state through the rollout of solar pumps.

BS