PM inaugurates 1,300 MW NHPC and SJVN solar projects in Rajasthan
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated two major solar power projects in Rajasthan on July 4, 2026, adding a combined 1,300 MW of renewable energy capacity. The projects include NHPC Limited’s 300 MW Karnisar Solar Power Plant in Bikaner and SJVN Limited’s 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project, also in Bikaner. The Prime Minister inaugurated the SJVN project from Pachpadra, Rajasthan.
During the event, the Prime Minister said renewable energy is the cornerstone of India’s energy security and sustainable future. He also said Rajasthan is witnessing the development of world-class solar power infrastructure, reinforcing its position as a key contributor to the country’s clean energy ambitions.
NHPC’s 300 MW project
NHPC’s Karnisar Solar Power Plant in Bikaner has been developed using approximately 7.75 lakh domestically manufactured Solar PV Cells and Modules.
According to NHPC, the project is expected to generate around 75 crore units of clean electricity annually and help offset nearly 6.4 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The company said the project has also created direct and indirect employment opportunities for over 40 local persons, supporting livelihoods in remote areas of Rajasthan.
NHPC CMD Shri Bhupender Gupta thanked the Prime Minister, the Government of India, the Government of Rajasthan, the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and other stakeholders for their support in executing the project. He said NHPC remains committed to contributing to India’s clean energy and renewable energy goals.
SJVN’s 1,000 MW project
SJVN’s 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project has been developed through its wholly owned subsidiary, SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), with an investment of approximately Rs 5,492 crore across nearly 5,000 acres. The project is India’s largest single EPC solar project under the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) category at a single location.
According to SJVN, the plant is expected to generate about 2,454.84 million units of electricity in its first year of operation and an estimated 56,482.14 million units over its 25-year operational life. The power generated will be supplied to Rajasthan (500 MW), Uttarakhand (200 MW), and Jammu & Kashmir (300 MW).
The project has been developed using approximately 24.22 lakh DCR solar modules and around 175 crore indigenous solar cells under the Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. SJVN said the project is expected to reduce nearly 2.79 billion kilograms of carbon emissions over its lifecycle and generated over 2,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities during construction and commissioning, while supporting the development of roads and transmission infrastructure in the Bikaner region.
NHPC is expanding its renewable energy portfolio through hydro, solar, and wind projects. SJVN said the commissioning of the Bikaner project reinforces its commitment to expanding India’s renewable energy portfolio and supporting the nation’s vision of a sustainable and energy-secure future.
Dignitaries present
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Rajasthan Governor Shri Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of State Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Rajasthan Deputy Chief Ministers Smt. Diya Kumari and Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa.
SJVN’s event was virtually joined by CMD Shri Bhupender Gupta, Director (Personnel) Shri Ajay Kumar Sharma, Director (Finance) Shri Parthajit De, Director (Projects) Shri Rajesh Kumar Chandel, CVO Shri Pankaj Porwal, SGEL CEO Shri Prashant Sharma, and senior officials of SJVN and SGEL.
Photo credit: NHPC
