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{{Short description|Solar park in Karnataka, India. Largest solar park in the world by nameplate capacity.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox power station
| name = Pavagada Solar Park
| name_official = Shakti Sthala<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Industry/uJx6eSuVGTwZa6Y2aE5W7I/Worlds-largest-solar-park-Shakti-Sthala-inaugurated-in-Karn.html|title=World’s largest solar park Shakti Sthala designed by Ravindra bhan in Karnataka|first=Sharan|last=Poovanna|date=March 1, 2018|access-date=May 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828085332/https://www.livemint.com/Industry/uJx6eSuVGTwZa6Y2aE5W7I/Worlds-largest-solar-park-Shakti-Sthala-inaugurated-in-Karn.html|archive-date=August 28, 2018|url-status=live|newspaper=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]}}</ref>
| coordinates = {{coord|14.25|77.45|region:IN_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = India
| location = [[Pavagada|Pavagada taluk]], [[Tumakuru district|Tumkur district]], [[Karnataka]]
| status = O
| construction_began = October 2016
| commissioned = March 2018
| cost = ₹14,425 crore<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/1st-phase-of-pavagada-solar-park-to-be-ready-by-dec/article19779170.ece|title=1st phase of Pavagada solar park to be ready by Dec.|last=Prabhu|first=Nagesh|date=September 30, 2017|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=May 4, 2021}}</ref>
| owner = Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation Ltd. (KSPDCL)
| operator =
| employees =
| solar_type = pv
| solar_collectors =
| solar_collectors_area =
| ps_site_area = {{Convert|13000|acre|ha}}
| solar_site_resource = 5.5-6.0 kWh/m<sup>2</sup> per day<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrel.gov/international/images/india_ghi_annual_2016-01.jpg|title=India Solar Resource - Global Horizontal Irradiance - Annual Average, by NREL, National Renewable Energy Laboratory|access-date=2017-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329112906/http://www.nrel.gov/international/images/india_ghi_annual_2016-01.jpg|archive-date=2017-03-29|url-status=dead|publisher=[[National Renewable Energy Laboratory]]}}</ref>
| ps_units_operational = 2,050 MW<ref name=big>{{cite news|title=World’s Largest Solar Park at Karnataka’s Pavagada is Now Fully Operational|last=Ranjan|first=Rakesh|website=mercomindia.com|date=December 27, 2019|
url=https://mercomindia.com/karnatakas-pavagada-solar-operational/|access-date=May 4, 2021}}</ref>
| ps_units_manu_model =
| ps_units_uc =
| ps_units_decommissioned =
| ps_thermal_capacity =
| ps_electrical_capacity =
| ps_electrical_cap_fac =
| ps_storage_capacity =
| ps_annual_generation =
| website = {{URL|http://kspdcl.in/}}
}}

'''Pavagada Solar Park''' is a [[photovoltaic power station|solar park]] covering an area of {{Convert|13000|acre|km2|order=flip}} in [[Pavagada|Pavagada taluk]], [[Tumakuru district|Tumkur district]], [[Karnataka]]. Completed in 2019, the park has a capacity of 2,050 MW. As of April 2021, it is the [[List of photovoltaic power stations|World's third largest photovoltaic solar park]] after the 2,245 MW [[Bhadla Solar Park]] in [[Rajasthan]] and 2,200 MW Huanghe Hydropower Hainan Solar Park in [[China]]. It is the second largest in India.The total project cost was ₹14,800 crore (US$2.1 billion).<ref name="KSPDCL1" />

== History ==
===Background===
Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL) and the [[Solar Energy Corporation of India]] (SECI) established a joint venture company, the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation Ltd (KSPDCL), in March 2015 to implement solar power projects in Karnataka.<ref name="Mint1" /><ref name="NIE1" /> The Chairman of the State High Level Clearance Committee (SLHCC) approved the KSPDCL's proposal to construct a solar power park in Pavagada taluk on 29 October 2015.<ref name="KSPDCL1">{{cite web|title=GoK order dated 13-06-2016 allocating 200MW solar generation plant with 15 minutes battery storage by Solar Energy Corporation Of India Limited in Pavagada Solar park|url=http://kspdcl.in/SP_DOCS/Notification/GoK%20order%20dated%2029-10-2015%20according%20in-priciple%20approval%20to%20establish%202000MW%20Pavagada%20Solar%20Park.pdf|website=KSPDCL|accessdate=7 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308045333/http://kspdcl.in/SP_DOCS/Notification/GoK%20order%20dated%2029-10-2015%20according%20in-priciple%20approval%20to%20establish%202000MW%20Pavagada%20Solar%20Park.pdf|archive-date=8 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The project is spread over a total area of {{Convert|13000|acre|km2}} which includes the 5 villages of Balasamudra, Tirumani, Kyataganacharlu, Vallur and Rayacharlu.<ref name="KSPDCL1" />

Pavagada was chosen as the site for the project for several reasons. Apart from high solar radiation and availability of land, the region receives very little rainfall. Pavagada taluk is located in a semi-arid tract, atop an elevated plateau surrounded by rocky hills. The region has been declared drought hit by the [[Government of Karnataka|Karnataka Government]] 54 times in the past 6 decades. The region is also scarcely populated and most of its residents are poor farmers. Many of the region's residents have migrated to [[Bangalore]], located about 180 km away, for economic reasons.<ref name="Mint1">{{cite web|last1=Poovanna|first1=Sharan|title=How the world’s largest solar park is shaping up in Karnataka|url=http://www.livemint.com/Industry/UEJYwZQT5m3wNvGupBShZJ/How-the-worlds-largest-solar-park-is-shaping-up-in-Karnatak.html|newspaper=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]|accessdate=7 March 2017|date=6 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307050202/http://www.livemint.com/Industry/UEJYwZQT5m3wNvGupBShZJ/How-the-worlds-largest-solar-park-is-shaping-up-in-Karnatak.html|archive-date=7 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

G.V. Balram, the managing director of KREDL, was born and raised in a village in Pavaguda taluk. He understood that farmers in the region were reluctant to sell their land due to emotional reasons. In order to aid in the development of the region and reduce economic migration, Balram offered farmers the option to lease the land required for the project rather than purchase it outright.<ref name="WB1">{{cite web|last1=Jain|first1=Amit|title=Solar energy to bring jobs and prosperity back to parched villages|url=http://blogs.worldbank.org/energy/solar-energy-bring-jobs-and-prosperity-back-parched-villages-india|website=[[World Bank]]|accessdate=7 March 2017|language=en|date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308044802/http://blogs.worldbank.org/energy/solar-energy-bring-jobs-and-prosperity-back-parched-villages-india|archive-date=8 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Landowners receive an annual payment of {{INRConvert|21000}} per acre under the terms of the lease which is valid for 25–35 years. For the entire land required for the park, the total compensation for the entire project amounts to {{INR}}23-25 crore per year. The annual payment amount will increase by 5% every 2 years.<ref name = "NIE1">{{cite web|title=Solar power dawns on Pavagada villages|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2016/oct/12/solar-power-dawns-on-pavagada-villages-1527161--2.html|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]|accessdate=7 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308044826/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2016/oct/12/solar-power-dawns-on-pavagada-villages-1527161--2.html|archive-date=8 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Auctions ===
The KSPDCL utilized the "plug and play" model to implement the project. Under this model, the company acquires blocks of land, obtains all required government approvals for solar power generation, and then awards contracts to solar power developers (SPDs) through auctions.<ref name="Mint1"/>

In April 2016, [[NTPC Limited]], on behalf of KSPDCL, awarded contracts to 6 firms for the commissioning of a total of 500 MW of power at the Pavaguda Solar Park as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kspdcl.in/SP_DOCS/NTPC.pdf|title=Allocation of 500MW NTPC JNNSM Scheme (Open Category) power to ESCOMs of Karnataka proposed in 2000MW Pavagada Solar Park Area|website=KSPDCL|accessdate=7 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308045338/http://kspdcl.in/SP_DOCS/NTPC.pdf|archive-date=8 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fortum-wins-100-mw-project-in-pavagada-solar-park/1/641659.html|title=Fortum wins 100 MW project in Pavagada solar park|access-date=2017-03-07|website=[[India Today]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308044109/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fortum-wins-100-mw-project-in-pavagada-solar-park/1/641659.html|archive-date=2017-03-08|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/solar-power-tariff-stays-below-rs-5unit-at-ntpc-auction/article8471428.ece|title=Solar power producers bid below ₹5 a unit for Karnataka park|date=13 April 2016|newspaper=[[Business Line]]|language=en|last1=Bureau|first1=Our|accessdate=7 March 2017}}</ref>
* Parampujya Solar Energy Pvt Ltd. = 100 MW at {{INR}}4.79 per unit
* Fortum Finnsurya Energy Pvt Ltd. = 100 MW at {{INR}}4.79 per unit
* ACME Solar Holdings Pvt Ltd. = 100 MW at {{INR}}4.79 per unit
* Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd = 100 MW at {{INR}}4.79 per unit
* Yarrow Infrastructure = 50 MW at {{INRConvert|4.78}} per unit (lowest)
* [[ReNew Power|Renew Power]] = 50 MW at {{INRConvert|4.80}} per unit (highest)

Work on the solar park began in October 2016.<ref name="NIE1" /> In March 2017, the NTPC invited bids for a further 750 MW, split into six blocks of 125 MW each.<ref>{{cite web|title=India’s NTPC invites bids for 750MW of solar in Karnataka|url=https://www.pv-tech.org/news/indias-ntpc-invites-bids-for-750mw-of-solar-in-karnataka|website=PV-Tech|accessdate=20 March 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320144925/https://www.pv-tech.org/news/indias-ntpc-invites-bids-for-750mw-of-solar-in-karnataka|archive-date=20 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to infrastructure issues, this invitation was scrapped and the capacity was retendered in early 2017, with an additional 250 MW (total 1000 MW) which was reserved for "domestic content requirement" scheme, meaning that the components needed to be manufactured in India and not imported.<ref>[https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-retenders-750-mw-solar-pavagada-solar-park-karnataka/ Pavagada 750 MW capacity retendered]</ref>
*In May 2018, SB Energy has secured 200 megawatts of capacity at Rs 2.82/kWh, or 4.16¢/kWh offered by SECI.<ref>{{cite web|title=SB Energy Scores 200 Megawatts Of Solar In India At 4.16¢/kWh|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2018/05/25/sb-energy-scores-200-megawatts-of-solar-in-india-at-4-16%C2%A2-kwh/|accessdate=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525193748/https://cleantechnica.com/2018/05/25/sb-energy-scores-200-megawatts-of-solar-in-india-at-4-16%C2%A2-kwh/|archive-date=25 May 2018|url-status=live|website=cleantechnica.com}}</ref>
*The most recent letter of award (LoA) was given to Amar Raja Power Systems Limited, to construct 50 MW of capacity at a levelized tariff of ₹1.24 (~$1.7¢)/kWh for 24 years. The reason for the extremely low cost was quoted as 'land being available to KREDL at no cost and the availability of the power evacuation infrastructure up to the sub-station.'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mercomindia.com/50-mw-solar-karnataka-pavagada/|title=50 MW of Solar Projects to be Developed in Pavagada Solar Park at a Tariff of ₹1.24/kWh|website=MERCOM India|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref>

=== Commissioning ===
On 14 December 2017, [[Fortum]] announced that it had connected a 100MW solar plant at Pavagada to the grid.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fortum Commissions 100 MW of Solar Project in Pavagada Solar Park - Mercom India|url=https://mercomindia.com/fortum-solar-project-pavagada/|website=Mercom India|accessdate=19 February 2018|date=14 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052936/https://mercomindia.com/fortum-solar-project-pavagada/|archive-date=22 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd commissioned 100 MW at the park by 19 December,<ref>{{cite web|title=TPREL Commissions 100 MW Solar Project at Pavagada Solar Park - Mercom India|url=https://mercomindia.com/tprel-solar-project-pavagada-solar-park/|website=Mercom India|accessdate=19 February 2018|date=19 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053139/https://mercomindia.com/tprel-solar-project-pavagada-solar-park/|archive-date=22 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and an additional 50 MW by 2 January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=TPREL Commissions 50 MW DCR Solar Project in Pavagada Solar Park - Mercom India|url=https://mercomindia.com/tprel-dcr-pavagada-solar-park/|website=Mercom India|accessdate=19 February 2018|date=2 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219150643/https://mercomindia.com/tprel-dcr-pavagada-solar-park/|archive-date=19 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> 600 MW of power was commissioned by 31 January 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mercomindia.com/600mw-grid-sychronized-pavagada/|title=600 MW of Solar Projects Synchronized to the Grid at Karnataka’s Pavagada Park|accessdate=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527214016/https://mercomindia.com/600mw-grid-sychronized-pavagada/|archive-date=27 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=1st phase of Pavagada solar park to be ready by Dec.|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/1st-phase-of-pavagada-solar-park-to-be-ready-by-dec/article19779170.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=30 September 2017|location=Nagesh Prabhu|issn=0971-751X|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> and a further 1,400 MW are planned.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kumar|first1=B.S. Satish|title=State to get 500 MW from Pavagada solar park next year|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/state-to-get-500-mw-from-pavagada-solar-park-next-year/article8613190.ece|website=The Hindu|accessdate=7 March 2017|language=en}}</ref>

Pavagada Solar Park had a total commissioned capacity of 1,400 MW by 9 April 2019 out of total 2,050 MW planned by December 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/renew-power-commissions-300-mw-solar-plant-in-pavagada-119041000686_1.html|title=ReNew Power Commissions 300 MW Solar Plant in Pavagada|accessdate=10 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410132656/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/renew-power-commissions-300-mw-solar-plant-in-pavagada-119041000686_1.html|archive-date=10 April 2019|url-status=live|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref><ref name=pgada>{{cite web|url=https://mercomindia.com/pavagada-solar-park-operational-december-2019/|title=Karnataka’s Pavagada Solar Park to be Fully Operational by December 2019|accessdate=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412075107/https://mercomindia.com/pavagada-solar-park-operational-december-2019/|archive-date=12 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Another 450 MW was commissioned by November 2019 taking the total project capacity to 1850 MW, making it the largest solar power plant in the world at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/karnatakas-pavagada-reaches-1850-mw-milestone-with-100mw-avaada-commissioning|title=Karnataka’s Pavagada Reaches 1850 MW Milestone with 100MW Avaada Commissioning|accessdate=10 December 2019}}</ref>

Upon completion, Pavagada Solar Park was World’s largest solar power plant. However, as of April 2021, it was [[List of photovoltaic power stations|World's third largest photovoltaic solar park]] after the 2245 MW [[Bhadla Solar Park]] in [[Rajasthan]] and Huanghe Hydropower Hainan Solar Park in [[China]] 2200 MW.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.semprius.com/largest-solar-farm/|title=Reviewing The World’s Largest Solar Power Plants|last=Duval|first=George|website=Semprius|date=April 13, 2021|access-date=May 4, 2021}}</ref>

==Wind energy==
In March 2017, Karnataka Energy Minister DK Shivakumar told the ''[[Bangalore Mirror]]'' that the government was looking to generate wind energy by setting up windmills in Pavagada. Preliminary estimates from the KREDL indicate a potential wind power generation of 250-300 MW.<ref>{{cite web|title=For clean energy, Karnataka, AP are in their elements - Bangalore Mirror -|url=http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/state/for-clean-energy-karnataka-ap-are-in-their-elements/articleshow/57544795.cms|website=[[Bangalore Mirror]]|accessdate=20 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320144624/http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/state/for-clean-energy-karnataka-ap-are-in-their-elements/articleshow/57544795.cms|archive-date=20 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Renewable energy}}
* [[Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects]]
* [[List of photovoltaic power stations]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{SPIN}}

{{stack|}}

[[Category:Photovoltaic power stations in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Tumkur district]]
[[Category:Power stations in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 2018]]
[[Category:2018 establishments in Karnataka]]

Pavagada Solar Park - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article