The Indore Municipal Corporation is on target to complete the 60-megawatt solar power plant in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, by the end of the year. This mega-project is assessed at a cost of Rs 308 crore and will drastically bring down the energy cost of the city, making it more sustainable. The solar plant is being built on a 220-acre site in Jalud village and is likely to provide substantive gains to the region, much of which is expected to be realized from reduced energy expenses associated with the water distribution from the Narmada River to Indore.
Overview of the Project and Funding
On December 25, 2023, the foundation stone for the Khargone solar power plant was laid by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, via video conference. A total of Rs. 308 crores is being invested in the development of this project. Of the total, Rs 244 crores was mobilized by the Indore Municipal Corporation through the issuance of green bonds way back in February last year. These bonds, aimed at financing the environmentally sustainable projects, elicited a positive response from the public—evidencing strong popular support for the green initiatives being pursued by the city.
Currently, the solar plant is under construction, and IMC is trying to complete the same by the end of 2024. The plant, upon completion, is likely to generate enough electricity to bring about a considerable decrease in the monthly electricity bill of IMC.
Impact on Water Supply and Energy Costs at Indore
Indore is referred to as the cleanest city in India. It depends heavily on the Narmada River for the supply of its water. The present scenario of water supply from Jalud to Indore covers a distance of 80 km, with a huge electricity cost of approximately Rs 25 crore per month. The solar power plant in Jalud is likely to cut this cost by Rs 5 crore per month and would act as a big saving for the municipal corporation.
The generated electricity from the solar plant will be majorly used for pumping and distribution of Narmada River water to households of Indore. While this move may convey its commitment towards renewable energy, it is also a pragmatic move in view of the ever-increasing energy expenditure, which is directly related to falling groundwater levels in the area.
Environmental and Economic Significance
The successful execution of the 60 MW solar power plant in Khargone will mark one of the major steps forward towards the goals of sustainable urban development for Indore. With a decrease in reliance on traditional sources of energy, carbon emissions will decrease and larger goals of environment preservation will be met. The potential for reducing electricity costs by the plant underlines its economic practicality for investment in renewable energy infrastructure within municipal operations.
The central government is aiming for renewable energy, and this project aligns with the bigger initiative to develop it at the national level. With more cities like Indore embracing solar power and other green technologies, the examples they set for other municipalities in touting the dual benefits—both to improved environmental sustainability and reduced costs—would increase.
The Indore Municipal Corporation’s solar power plant in Khargone will, therefore, be a futuristic initiative from the point of view of the city’s both financial and environmental problems. The 60 MW plant, to be completed by the end of this year, will contribute much towards saving energy expenditure on water supply and encouraging the habit of using renewable energy. If the project works, it is said that it will set the model for other urban centers in the country, as the city is breaking new ground in approach towards sustainability.
Source: Press release, Indore Municipal Corporation
Credits: Indore Municipal Corporation