Union Minister Launches 950 MW Solar Projects Across Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL, Union Renewable Energy Minister launched 950 megawatts of solar power projects in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. The projects are spread across several districts in the state.

The minister oversaw the start of construction at a ceremony in Bhopal. Officials said the projects will help the state move closer to its renewable energy targets. Madhya Pradesh has set a goal of 20 GW of solar capacity by 2030.

The 950 MW includes a mix of utility-scale solar parks and smaller ground-mounted plants. Most of the capacity will feed into the state grid. Power purchase agreements have been signed with the state electricity distribution company.

Government data shows Madhya Pradesh currently has about 3.5 GW of installed solar capacity. The new projects will push that number up by more than 25%. State officials expect the plants to be fully operational within 24 months.

Where the projects are going

The largest chunk of capacity, 300 MW, is coming up in the Rewa district. That area already hosts one of India's biggest solar parks. Another 250 MW will be built in the Neemuch district. The remaining 400 MW is split between Shajapur, Agar Malwa, and Ratlam districts.

Developers include a mix of state-owned companies and private players. NTPC Limited is building 200 MW. ReNew Power and Adani Green Energy are each setting up 150 MW. The rest is being developed by smaller firms.

Land for the projects has been acquired through a combination of government land and private leases. Farmers in some areas have leased their land for 25 to 30 years. They get a fixed annual payment plus a share of the power revenue.

Jobs and local impact

State officials said the projects will create about 4,000 direct jobs during construction. Once operational, they will need roughly 500 permanent workers for maintenance and operations. Local hiring is a condition in the project agreements.

The minister stressed the need for timely completion. He told officials to clear bottlenecks fast. Delays in land acquisition and grid connectivity have held up solar projects in other states.

Madhya Pradesh has been pushing solar hard over the last five years. The state offers a single-window clearance system for renewable projects. It also gives a 100% exemption on electricity duty for solar plants during the first 10 years of operation.

Grid and transmission upgrades

Power Grid Corporation of India is building new transmission lines to carry the solar power. Three new substations are being set up in Rewa, Neemuch, and Shajapur. The work is expected to cost about ₹1,200 crore.

The new lines will connect the solar plants to the national grid. This will allow the state to sell surplus power to other states. Madhya Pradesh already sells solar power to Delhi and Punjab.

Broader picture

India wants 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Solar is the biggest piece of that target. The country has about 70 GW of installed solar capacity as of March 2025.

Madhya Pradesh ranks sixth among Indian states for solar capacity. Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka lead the list. The new projects could push Madhya Pradesh into the top five.

The minister said the projects show the government's commitment to clean energy. He did not give a timeline for the next round of project announcements. But state officials said more tenders are likely later this year.