Nagpur: The first solar park in Nagpur district has been commissioned at the 33/11-kV Kachari Sawanga substation in Katol taluka, paving the way for uninterrupted daytime electricity supply to 1,074 farmers across nine villages.MSEDCL officials said several more such solar parks are being developed across Nagpur district as part of the state’s drive to provide dedicated daytime power for agricultural consumers.The 4-MW solar park, commissioned on July 16, will supply electricity to agricultural pump consumers in Ridhora, Khapri Kutumba, Ghartwada, Gujar Khedi, Sabkund, Kokarda, Kachari Sawanga, Borkhedi and Panchdhar villages. Farmers connected to the Kachari Sawanga substation will now receive eight hours of uninterrupted daytime power, ending their dependence on night-time electricity supply for irrigation. Officials said the shift is expected to improve irrigation planning, reduce hardships faced by farmers and enhance crop productivity.The project has been developed under Maharashtra govt’s Chief Minister Solar Agricultural Feeder 2.0 scheme, under which decentralised solar parks are being established near substations. MSEDCL officials said multiple similar solar parks are currently under development across Nagpur district, with the aim of gradually expanding daytime power supply to more agricultural consumers.According to MSEDCL officials, setting up a 1-MW solar installation costs between Rs2.5-3 crore, indicating that the developer would have invested around Rs10-12 crore in establishing the 4-MW solar park. The land has been provided by MSEDCL on a 25-year lease, while the utility has signed a Power Purchase Agreement,or PPA, with the developer to procure electricity generated by the park for less than Rs3 per unit. The power will then be supplied to farmers under the state scheme.Officials said locating solar parks near substations reduces transmission losses while ensuring a dependable and sustainable electricity supply for agriculture.The project was executed under the guidance of chief engineer Rajesh Naik, superintending engineer Sanjay Wakde, executive engineers Narendra Katare and Narendra Dhawad. The solar park was constructed by a private company.Naik said the project marks an important step towards ensuring reliable daytime electricity for farmers while promoting clean energy and strengthening the rural economy.
