Three public sector companies are planning to set up 60-80 megawatt solar plants with an investment of Rs 1,000-1,200 crore (Rs 10-12 billion). The projects will come up in Rajasthan, Punjab and the Leh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd would set up a plant at Suratgarh in Rajasthan, while a similar plant would be set up by NTPC at Anta in the state, S Seshadri, member of the Central Electricity Authority, said on the sidelines of a CII-organised conference on power. The state utility of Punjab would set up a solar plant in the state, he added.

However, it was not decided which state-run power company would set up the plant in Leh.

"For the first time, we are planning to tap solar energy in Leh," said Seshadri.

Capacity of these plants would vary from 15-20 megawatt each, Seshadri said, adding it would cost Rs 16 crore (Rs 160 million) per megawatt.

Each of these utilities would fund the projects individually, added Seshadri.

Image: Solar panel