Rajasthan’s Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated the Gorbea Solar Power Project, developed by Zelestra India, marking the state’s emergence as a global clean energy hub. The project, delivered in under eight months, spans 1250 acres and is backed by a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India. It will generate 755 gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, powering approximately 1.28 lakh homes and reducing nearly 7.05 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
Nearly 70% of Rajasthan’s power capacity is now sourced from renewable energy, with over 35.4 gigawatts installed, 29.5 gigawatts from solar, and 5.2 gigawatts from wind. The project has turned farmers into partners in India’s energy journey, offering stable income and employing over 700 local workers during construction. The project uses advanced solar panels and over 1300 robotic cleaning units to maintain peak performance, and the state has already achieved its target of 50% installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated the 435 MW Garba (Garba) Solar Power Project in Rajasthan calling it a model of speed, sustainability, and inclusive development Developed by Zylstra India, the project was built in just eight months across 1,250 acres, and is backed by a 25‑year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
Renewable Energy inaugurated the 435 MW Gorbea Solar Power Project in Rajasthan. The project, located in Bikaner district, is being hailed as a significant step forward in the country’s solar mission. This initiative aligns with the government’s larger goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, as outlined in the…(Solar Mission).
Project Scale and Technology
The Garba Power Project will generate approximately 755 GWh of clean electricity annually, enough to power about 1.28 lakh homes, while cutting 7.05 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions each year The plant uses advanced Topcon bifacial mono‑PERC modules, supported by over 1,300 robotic cleaning units for peak efficiency under desert condition…(Power Energy). The supporting infrastructure—a dedicated substation and a 6.5 km transmission line—was completed in just five months, showcasing impressive execution speed.
Renewable Energy Leadership in Rajasthan
Joshi emphasized that nearly 70 per cent of Rajasthan’s installed power capacity now comes from renewable sources, including 29.5 GW of solar and 5.2 GW of wind With the addition of this project, Rajasthan continues to lead India’s energy transition, having surpassed its non‑fossil fuel capacity target well ahead of the 2030 goal.
Community Engagement and Economic Impact
The project was developed through an innovative land‑lease partnership with local farmers, providing them with steady income and making them stakeholders in the energy journey. Over 700 locals were employed during construction, promoting livelihoods and skill development Joshi stated, “Our farmers are no longer just food providers—they are now energy providers as well.
Policy & Strategic Context
This project aligns closely with Rajasthan’s Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 and the Rajasthan Green Hydrogen Policy, which have attracted investment commitments worth over ₹6.57 lakh crore in 2024 At the national level, the success of this project contributes to India hitting its 2030 target of 50 per cent installed capacity from non‑fossil sources, five years early.
Looking Ahead
The Garba Solar Plant sets a high bar for replicable clean-energy projects in arid and solar-rich regions. With plans underway for wind-solar hybrid deployments to tap Rajasthan’s estimated 284 GW wind potential, projects like this reinforce India’s ambition for a 500 GW non‑fossil fuel mix by 2030.
Q1. What is the capacity of the Gorbea Solar Power Project?
The project has an installed capacity of 435 megawatts (MW).
Q2. Where is the Gorbea Solar Project located?
It is located in the state of Rajasthan, known for its high solar potential.
Q3. Who inaugurated the Gorbea Solar Project?
The project was inaugurated by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy.
Q4. What is the expected impact of the project?
It will generate clean energy for over 1.3 lakh homes and reduce 700,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
Q5. How does this project support India’s energy goals?
The Gorbea project contributes to India’s target of 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
