Nagpur to have Asia's biggest solar thermal power plant

Asia's biggest solar thermal power plant will be set up in Nagpur to generate 10 MW electricity for the national grid.

"The generated power will be put on the national grid. It is a small step but a big leap for solar energy generation," Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemwar said on Monday.

The unique 10 MW solar thermal generation facility will serve the purpose of demonstration for solar energy enthusiasts across the country, he told PTI in Nagpur.

Nagpur has been selected because of high sun radiation besides its central geographical location, the minister said, adding solar energy is environment friendly and pollution free.

Besides, the plant load factor is between 80 to 90 per cent of the installed capacity, he said.

Moreover, there are no transmission and distribution losses in generation of solar energy unlike in thermal power generation.

Muttemwar said his ministry has approached the Maharashtra government for allotment of land, so that the process of setting up the plant could start.