Minister for Energy D.K. Shivakumar has said the government will find some other land, if farmers refuse to lease out their land for the mega solar park in Pavagada taluk, Tumakuru district.
Mr. Shivakumar, who is part of the Cabinet sub-committee studying the drought situation in the state, visited Pavagada taluk on Tuesday.
“If the farmers don’t lease their land by May 31, we will look for some other land for the purpose,” he said.
He said the 2,000 MW solar park will be established in Pavagada taluk on 11,000 acres of land, covering five villages (Thirumani, Valluru, Balasamudra, Rayacherlu and Kyataganacherlu) of Pavagada taluk. He added that 8,400 acres of land has already been given on lease to the state government. Around Rs.21,000 per acre per year will be given to farmers, which will hiked by five per cent once in two years.
Out of 11,000 acres, 10,000 acres will be used to generate 2,000 MW power and remaining 1,000 acres to build sub-stations and offices.
Mr. Shivakumar claimed there was no shortage of power in the state and that three-phase power was being supplied to industries. For irrigation, three-phase power was being supplied for six to seven hours. To ensure drinking water supply is not affected, power supply is not disrupted, he added.
