In a significant stride for India's renewable energy landscape, state-owned Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN) has announced the successful commissioning of its colossal 1,000-megawatt solar power project in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The project has officially achieved its Commercial Operation Date (COD), marking a pivotal moment in the nation's clean energy transition.
A Major Leap Towards National Renewable Targets
Bhupender Gupta, the Chairman and Managing Director of the Shimla-headquartered SJVN, made the announcement on Wednesday. He emphasized that this project's commissioning is a substantial contribution towards the Central Government's ambitious target of achieving 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by the year 2030. The project underscores the accelerating pace of large-scale green infrastructure development in the country.
Project Scale, Output, and Beneficiary States
Sprawling across a vast area of 5,000 acres, the Bikaner solar park is being executed by SJVN through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL). The scale of its power generation is monumental. In its first year of operation alone, the project is expected to generate over 2,454 million units of clean electricity.
Cumulatively, over a span of 25 years, it is projected to produce approximately 56,838 million units. A key feature of this project is its consumer-friendly pricing, with the maximum usage charges pegged at Rs 2.57 per unit. This ensures the supply of affordable green power to the grid.
The solar energy harnessed from the Bikaner project will be supplied to power distribution companies in three states:
- Rajasthan
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Uttarakhand
Implications for India's Energy Future
The operationalization of this 1,000 MW project is more than just an addition of capacity; it is a testament to the execution capabilities of public sector enterprises in the renewable domain. By injecting a massive volume of low-cost solar power into the grids of northern and western India, SJVN is directly supporting energy security and sustainability goals.
It also sets a strong precedent for future projects of similar scale, demonstrating that India has the technical expertise and project management skills to build and integrate gigawatt-scale renewable assets. This achievement brings the nation one step closer to its net-zero commitments and reinforces its position as a global leader in the fight against climate change through tangible, on-ground action.
