BENGALURU: To scale up clean energy infrastructure and enhance energy security for the state, Energy Minister KJ George on Monday said a solar park on the lines of Pavagada will soon come up in Madhugiri taluk of Tumkuru district.
The park will come up in partnership with the central government’s Tehri Hydro Development Corporation.
A release from the department said the partnership aims to leverage local expertise and resources to identify suitable land parcels essential for setting up the plant.
George was in Tumakuru on Monday to review the implementation of the KUSUM-C project at the district commissioner’s office. Also present with him were Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna, State Government’s Special Representative in Delhi T B Jayachandra, MLA K Shadakshari, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy Department) Gaurav Gupta, Managing Director of Bangalore Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (Bescom) Mahantesh Bilagi and Tumakuru District Collector Shubha Kalyan.
They also inaugurated two new power substations in Tumakuru district. These include a 2X8 MVA 66/11 KV substation in Bhairenahalli of Koratagere taluk, constructed at a cost of Rs 12.62 crore, and another 2X8 MVA, 66/11 KV substation in Sankenahalli (IK Colony), built at a cost of Rs 14.33 crore.
George also held a review meeting in the district to popularise the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM Kusum) scheme. George said, “To generate 1 MW electricity under the Kusum C project, 4-5 acres of land is needed. If government land is used, it will be provided free of cost and leased for 25 years. Lessees will pay Rs 25,000 per acre annually during the lease period. These funds will be deposited in the district collector’s account and allocated to develop local anganwadis, schools and panchayats.”
Gaurav Gupta said the government will select land around substations for the initiative. So far, 27 substations have been chosen, with an additional 12 to be selected in the next phase for Tumakuru district. Work has already begun in some substations, and surveys have been conducted, Gupta added.