Nearly 70 percent of Rajasthan’s power capacity now comes from renewable energy: Shri Pralhad Joshi
Underscoring Rajasthan’s transformation to a global hub of clean energy, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, said that the state is now a beacon of hope, energy independence, and self-reliance. The Minister was inaugurating the 435 megawatt Gorbea Solar Power Project, developed by Zelestra India, in Rajasthan today.
He described the Gorbea project as a shining example of what is possible through visionary leadership and honest intent. “With every megawatt we generate, we are not just producing power, we are building a New India,” he remarked, adding that the project reflects the speed and scale of change.
Rajasthan at the Forefront of India’s Clean Energy Mission
The Gorbea Solar Power Project, delivered in under eight months, spans 1250 acres and is backed by a 25 year Power Purchase Agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India. It will generate 755 gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, powering approximately 1.28 lakh homes and reducing nearly 7.05 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
Shri Joshi noted that almost 70 percent of Rajasthan’s power capacity is now sourced from renewable energy, with over 35.4 gigawatts installed, 29.5 gigawatts from solar and 5.2 gigawatts from wind. He praised the state’s proactive role in India’s renewable energy growth.
Empowering Farmers and Communities
The Minister highlighted that the project has turned farmers into partners in India’s energy journey, as the land used has been leased from them, offering stable income. “Our farmers are no longer just food providers. They are now energy providers as well,” he said.
During construction, over 700 local workers were employed, contributing to livelihood generation and skill development. Shri Joshi also noted that the entire evacuation infrastructure, including the on-site substation and a 6.5 kilometre transmission line, was completed in just five months.
Innovation and Future Technology
The project uses advanced solar panels (TOPCon bifacial mono PERC modules) and over 1300 robotic cleaning units to maintain peak performance. Shri Joshi called this a world-class facility and urged broader adoption of such technologies.
Referring to his visit to IIT Bombay, the Minister spoke about ongoing work on Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells and encouraged Zelestra and Rajasthan officials to explore pilot projects using this next-generation solar technology. He said such innovations could significantly boost energy yields in high-irradiance states like Rajasthan.
Policy Reforms and Investment Climate
Shri Joshi lauded Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma for accelerating policy and investment reforms. Rajasthan has adopted the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 and operationalised the Rajasthan Green Hydrogen Policy. Investment commitments worth over Rs 6.57 lakh crore were signed last year with a major focus on renewable energy and green hydrogen.
Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, over 49000 rooftop installations have been completed in Rajasthan, with more than Rs 325 crore in subsidies disbursed. He urged faster implementation, given the 2.7 lakh applications already received. Under PM-KUSUM, nearly 1.45 lakh solar pumps have been installed.
India’s Energy Milestone
The Minister announced that India has already achieved its target of 50 percent installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of the 2030 deadline. “Under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, when we resolve, we achieve,” he said.
Calling for accelerated deployment of wind-solar hybrid projects, he pointed out Rajasthan’s untapped wind potential of 284 gigawatts. He concluded by stating that the Gorbea project marks the beginning of a new chapter in India’s clean energy journey. “Today, as we stand on this sun-blessed land, we are not merely inaugurating a facility we are heralding a new era of energy, hope, and self-reliance,” he said.
About Zelestra
Zelestra is a global, vertically integrated renewable energy company with a portfolio of 29 gigawatts of carbon-free energy projects across 13 countries. In India, the company has a pipeline of 5.4 gigawatts, with 1.7 gigawatts already contracted. It is backed by EQT, one of the world’s largest investment funds, managing more than 273 billion euros in assets. In 2024, BloombergNEF ranked Zelestra among the top ten global sellers of clean energy to corporate buyers and number two in the Europe, Middle East and Asia region.
