Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) is all set to develop solar and wind power projects in the hot and cold deserts in the country, by 2050.
The company intends to set up projects with a total capacity of 3,00,000 MW in the hot and cold deserts of Rajasthan, Himachal, Jammu & Kashmir, and Gujarat. The project will require an investment of Rs 4.5 lakh crore.
The company has identified around 1.45 lakh sq km of wasteland out of which around 10 per cent or 14,500 sq km can be used to generate solar power in the areas of Thar desert, Rann of Kachchh, Laddakh and Lahul Spiti.
The total potential of solar power generation from the area stands at around 290 GW (2,90,000 MW), while wind will be another 30 GW or (30,000 MW) for optimum utilisation of the land.