State, Clinton Foundation sign MoU on solar power

JAIPUR: The state government on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Clinton Foundation for producing power from solar energy.Power secretary Naresh Pal Gangwar and chairman of Clinton Foundation, Ira Magaziner, signed the papers in the presence of chief minister Ashok Gehlot at the CMO on Monday.
As per the agreement, Clinton Foundation would provide technical assistance and other requirements for establishing solar energy parks in the state. These parks would be of the capacity of 3,000 to 5,000 MW and the land has been identified at two places — Badi Sid and Kansingh ki Isd in Jodhpur and Bhadla in Jaisalmer.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the state government would utilize solar energy, abundant in the state, for the development of non-conventional sources of energy. The government would extent all possible support to the foundation in its efforts. Recalling the visit of President Bill Clinton to the state, he said that during his visit, Clinton was very happy and has shown great interest in rural development and dairy industry.
Stressing on the vast possibility of utilization of solar energy for production of electricity, chairman of Clinton Foundation, Ira Magaziner said that in time to come, the state would not only produce electricity from solar energy for itself but for the whole country. The foundation would soon prepare a report for setting up of solar energy park and provide all requirement including technology, investors and others for it.
Under the Union government’s Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, 1000 MW of electricity would be produced in the first phase by 2013, 3000 MW by the end of second phase in 2017 and 20,000 MW by the end of last phase in 2022.