Solar farm online at world’s largest renewables development

Developers Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) plan to install 30GW of capacity at the site and deliver electricity to the grid by 2029. AGEL asserts that the giga scale plant will have ‘no parallel in the world’s clean energy sector’.

AGEL’s 551MW solar farm came online within 12 months of commencing work at the site, which started with the development of basic infrastructure, including roads and connectivity, and creating a self-sustaining social ecosystem. AGEL also transformed the terrain of the Rann of Kutch into a habitable environment for its 8,000 workforce.

With the region experiencing approximately, 2,060kWh/m2 of high solar irradiation, Khavda is said to be endowed with one of the best solar resources in India. The area also experiences wind speeds of around 8m per second.

MORE FROM ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

In a statement, Gautam Adani, chairman, Adani Group, said: "Adani Green Energy is creating one of the world’s most extensive renewable energy ecosystems for solar and wind. Through bold and innovative projects like the Khavda renewable energy plant, AGEL continues to set higher global benchmarks and rewrite the world’s planning and execution standards for giga-scale renewable energy projects. This milestone is a validation of the Adani Group’s commitment and leading role in accelerating India’s equitable clean energy transition journey towards its ambitious goals of 500GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and carbon neutrality.”

Spread over 726km², Khavda is being developed following a five-year set of studies to assess the site’s suitability, which is seen by AGEL as ‘a scalable blueprint for giga scale RE parks across the globe’.

AGEL said it is intent on developing indigenous and resilient supply chains with significantly increased share of localised procurement, and is providing community development initiatives across several villages in the region.