MP Receives Gift of Two Solar Projects; Neemuch to Offer World’s Cheapest Power at ₹2.14 Per Unit

Neemuch/Shajapur. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated two solar power projects in Madhya Pradesh with a combined capacity of 950 megawatts. He stated that the tariff for the Neemuch Solar Park is ₹2.14 per unit, which is likely the lowest in the world for a ‘vanilla solar’ project.

In the energy sector, the term ‘vanilla solar’ is typically used for solar power projects that generate electricity solely through solar panels and lack additional features like battery storage.

Joshi inaugurated the renewable energy projects—a 500 MW solar park in Neemuch and a 450 MW solar park in Shajapur—at a grand ceremony. State Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was also present on the occasion.

The tariffs for electricity generated at the Neemuch Solar Park are ₹2.14, ₹2.149, and ₹2.15 per unit. Spread across three units, the park covers a total area of ​​2,500 acres. He noted that the project would supply clean electricity to the Indian Railways and the state grid.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Joshi said, “Excellent work has been done at the Neemuch Solar Park. To the best of my knowledge, the tariff of ₹2.14 per unit is likely the lowest for electricity generated from a ‘vanilla solar’ project—not just in the country, but across the globe.” He praised the state government’s efforts in the renewable energy sector, stating that Madhya Pradesh is emerging as a ‘green energy powerhouse.’

Joshi mentioned that out of the state’s total power generation capacity of 38 gigawatts, approximately 12 gigawatts is derived from renewable energy sources. He stated that, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expectations, the share of renewable energy in the state’s total power generation capacity should be at least 50 percent. According to studies by the central government, the state has the potential to generate approximately 55 gigawatts of wind energy.

He noted that the state currently has an installed wind energy capacity of 3.7 gigawatts, with projects totaling 1.3 gigawatts of capacity currently underway. Joshi said, “If targets are set for the next two years to increase wind energy generation in the state to at least 10 gigawatts, the cost of electricity will decrease significantly. This will benefit the state’s farmers and industries and boost new industrial investment.”

The Union Minister emphasized that every government building in the state should have a solar power project. During the event, Joshi and Chief Minister Yadav also laid the foundation stones for and inaugurated 38 industrial projects involving a proposed investment of approximately ₹1,554 crore. Officials stated that these projects would provide direct employment to more than 3,200 people.