New Delhi: Nearly 70 per cent of Rajasthan’s power capacity now comes from renewable energy, with over 35.4 gigawatts installed — 29.5 gigawatts from solar and 5.2 gigawatts from wind — according to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi.

Calling the state a beacon of hope, energy independence, and self-reliance, Joshi was speaking at the inauguration of the 435 megawatt Gorbea Solar Power Project, developed by Zelestra India, in Rajasthan.

He hailed the Gorbea project as a model of visionary leadership and integrity. “With every megawatt we generate, we are not just producing power, we are building a New India,” he said, noting the project’s speed and scale.

Delivered in under eight months, the Gorbea Solar Power Project covers 1,250 acres and operates under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India. It will produce 755 gigawatt hours of clean power annually, lighting up around 1.28 lakh homes and cutting 7.05 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

Joshi emphasized that farmers have become key partners in India’s clean energy transition, as the land used was leased from them, ensuring steady income. “Our farmers are no longer just food providers. They are now energy providers as well,” he stated.

Over 700 local workers were employed during construction, aiding livelihoods and promoting skill development. The entire evacuation infrastructure — including an on-site substation and 6.5 km transmission line — was completed in just five months.

The project employs cutting-edge TOPCon bifacial mono PERC solar modules and over 1,300 robotic cleaning units to ensure optimal performance. Joshi praised it as a world-class facility and called for wider adoption of such technologies.

Referring to his visit to IIT Bombay, the Minister spoke about research on Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells and encouraged Zelestra and Rajasthan officials to consider pilot projects with this next-gen technology, particularly suitable for high-irradiance states.

Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Rajasthan has completed over 49,000 rooftop installations, with Rs 325 crore in subsidies disbursed. Joshi urged faster rollout, noting 2.7 lakh applications are pending. Under PM-KUSUM, nearly 1.45 lakh solar pumps have been deployed.

He added that India has already met its target of sourcing 50 per cent of installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources — five years ahead of the 2030 goal.