I saw India’s bright creativity, ingenuity and cutting-edge technology.” Ban Ki-moon commented that the mission ‘demonstrates that one solution can have multiple benefits’. “Solar power protects the environment. It creates development. It helps us conserve land. And it promotes health and prosperity. More solar power means less pollution. And that will lead to cleaner air and healthier lives,” said the UN Secretary-General. He also added that the sun has a special place in the Indian imagination. The United Nations even recognizes the Indian Sun Temple Konârak as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. People of all faiths and all countries have for millennia appreciated the immense value and power of our sun. But we have only just begun to harness the sun’s energy for the good of our planet and its people, he added. The solar power plant, atop a 22 meter width canal of running water, covers around 4 kilometer (KM) in length, where 33,816 solar panels have been installed over a mounting structure. The Rupees 1000 million project, set up by Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL), is fully financed by the Gujarat government.

The showcase project of the relatively rich State in western India is executed by a private firm, which will also maintain it for the next 25 years. The plant is expected to produce over 16 million units of power in the first year and the entre output will be consumed by the SSNNL. India had an advantage of going for solar mission as the country gets 70% more solar radiation than any European country. Solar power plant can be erected very fast compare to other green projects. Gujarat chief minister Anandi B Patel, while talking to the local media prior to the inauguration of the Vadodara canal top project, disclosed that the SSNNL was purchasing power from a different company (Gujarat Urja Vin Nigam Limited) at the cost of rupees 6.48 per unit, where the prices were soaring annually, but the new solar project would generate the power at the cost of around rupees 7 per unit. Ms Patel, who succeeded Modi as the Gujarat government chief last year, also pointed out that as the project was set up over a canal, there was no land acquisition problem. Moreover it is expected to reduce the evaporation of the running water meaning less wastage of it. These all make the Vadodara canal top project a first-of-its-kind in the entire world, claimed the State chief minister. Earlier a small pilot project on Sanand canal of Sardar Sarovar project was commissioned in April 2012. The 750 meter long canal top solar power plant nearby Ahmadabad was erected by the American solar company SunEdison with the capacity of one megawatt. It was, in fact, the country’s first canal top solar plant that inspired the government in Ahmadabad to go for Vadodara plant. Prime Minister Modi meanwhile announced that India would promote similar solar projects across the country. Recently the Modi raised its solar power target from 20,000 megawatt to 100,000 megawatt by the year 2022, while the present Indian capacity is over 3,000 megawatt. The Indian government also plans to harness 60,000 megawatt from the wind power by that period. All together, the energy-starved nation prepares for a massive plan for harnessing the renewable energy to feed its huge population. Underlining the need for transforming global energy systems to reduce the threat of climate change, the UN Secretary General commented that the energy poverty should be addressed before the extreme poverty. “We are working to dramatically increase energy access, energy efficiency and the use of renewables by year 2030,” said Ban Ki-moon adding that we have an ‘historic opportunity to transform our societies and this project (Vadodara canal top solar plant) shows us how’.

“The right approach to energy can drive progress on all three pillars of sustainable development: economic dynamism, social progress and environmental sustainability,” asserted the UN chief. Attending the inaugural session of Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Gandhinagar, Ban Ki-moon also asked India to ‘come out with an ambitious target to cut down carbon emissions’ adding, “2015 is a historic and most important year for the humanity as it could be the time we end poverty, avoid worst impacts of climate change through sustainable development.”

Pointing out that India has a young population and it is a great opportunity, Ban Ki-moon proclaimed, “I’m very happy and encouraged that India is now taking the lead on the sustainable energy for all initiative. This is the kind of bold leadership the world needs to reap the benefits of the clean energy revolution.” He concluded that ‘together, we can create a safer, more prosperous world for all’.

By Nava Thakuria