Renewable energy park the size of Singapore becomes operational

The World’s largest renewable energy park has begun to supply power to India’s national grid for the first time, albeit it a relatively modest 551 MW of its planned 30 GW capacity.

Covering over 726 km² –  roughly the size of Singapore – energy from the Khavda park will ultimately be sufficient to power 16.1 million homes each year. 

The company is deploying India’s largest onshore wind turbine generator of 5.2 MW capacity in addition to bifacial solar PV panels.

The panels themselves will benefit from  waterless robotic cleaning to address dust accumulation, conserving water in the arid region and maximising electricity generation.

Adani Green Energy Limited, the second largest solar PV developer in the world, have got the Khavda Park operational within 12 months of commencing work. No mean feat considering it is situated in a salt desert in the state of Gujarat, 70km from the nearest signs of humanity.

Adani spent the previous five years examining the location in detail. This involved geotechnical investigations, seismic studies, centrifuge tests, resource assessment studies, land studies, Environment and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental and Social Due Diligence, and detailed feasibility studies.

Once on site, the first six months of the project involved the development of basic infrastructure, including roads and connectivity. Adani also needed to create a habitable environment for its 8,000-strong workforce.

The company believe that the solutions they have deployed on this site will provide a scalable blueprint for future giga-scale renewable energy projects across the globe. 

India aims to install 500 GW of clean energy by the end of the decade and to reach net zero emissions by 2070, so the Khavda park will be contributing significantly, once the planned capacity is reached, in around five years.

Mr Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group: ‘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 RE 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 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and carbon neutrality.’