Wartsila India Ltd conferred the 10th Wärtsilä
Mantosh Sondhi Award on Gujarat Power
Corporation for its Gujarat Solar Park for the
significant contribution made to the Indian Energy
sector. D. J. Pandian, Principal Secretary, Energy &
Petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat accepted the
award from Bjorn Rosengren, President & CEO, Wärtsilä
Corporation.
Gujarat accounts for 66 per cent of India's total solar
power capacity. The Solar Park was launched at Charanka
village, Santalpur taluka in Patan district as a part of the
Swarnim Gujarat celebrations. The Solar Park with a
power generation capacity of 600 mw, covering
approximately 3,000 acres of wasteland bordering the
Rann of Kutch, will generate two-thirds of India's total 900
mw of solar power production. The Solar Park will produce
214 mw of photovoltaic solar capacity, making it larger
than Golmud Solar Park in China that has a capacity of 200
mw, a release from Wartsila noted. The new Solar Park is
unique in having 21 companies involved in its management
and development, including four from USA.
Under the Solar Power Policy, the Gujarat Government
had signed memorandums of understanding for generation
of 968.5 mw of solar power by the end of the year 2012.
Other projects are expected to be developed at Anand,
Banaskantha, Jamnangar, Junagadh, Kutch, Porbandar,
Rajkot, Surat and Surendranagar.
Speaking on the occasion, Bjorn Rosengren, President &
CEO, Wärtsilä Corporation, said, "The award seeks to
recognize leaders who have made a significant
contribution to the energy sector, leaders who have
underlined the need to excel without compromising
on values and principles. It is our privilege to have
D.J. Pandian accept the award. Mr Pandian has
spearheaded initiatives in the renewable energy sector
among many others."