Dholera Solar Park

Dholera Solar Park – India’s Largest Renewable Energy Project

The Dholera Solar Park is one of India’s most ambitious renewable energy projects and is being developed within the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) in Gujarat. Recognized as an Ultra Mega Solar Power Project by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the project aims to achieve a massive power generation capacity of 5 GW by the year 2030.

Dholera Smart City is rapidly emerging as a major hub for industrial development, infrastructure growth, and sustainable urban planning. The solar park project further strengthens Dholera’s position as a future-ready smart city focused on clean and renewable energy solutions.

Tata Power Solar’s Role in Dholera Solar Park

Tata Power Solar, one of India’s leading integrated solar energy companies, plays a significant role in the development of the Dholera Solar Park. The company has successfully executed over 17 large-scale solar projects across 13 Indian states, contributing approximately 1.5 GW of installed solar capacity.

On October 9, 2020, Tata Power Solar secured a 100 MW solar project at Dholera Solar Park through a competitive bidding process conducted by Gujarat Urja Nigam Limited (GUVNL). The project was awarded after the bidding process held in March 2020 and is planned for completion within 15 months from the signing of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

World’s Largest Renewable Energy Park

The Gujarat government is actively supporting renewable energy expansion and has allocated nearly 60,000 hectares of land for the development of the world’s largest renewable energy park at Dholera. The proposed solar park itself is expected to generate approximately 4,400 MW of renewable power.

Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL) has been assigned the responsibility of developing shared infrastructure facilities for the solar park. This includes internal roads, transmission infrastructure, and utilities required for large-scale solar power generation and distribution.

Land Allocation and Project Area

The Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) spans approximately 920 square kilometers. Out of this, nearly 520 square kilometers have been allocated for urban and industrial development, while approximately 400 square kilometers fall under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) near the Gulf of Khambhat.

The Dholera Solar Park is expected to cover around 8,594.95 hectares of land. Out of the total area:

• 7,949.17 hectares fall under CRZ-1B
• 204.34 hectares are classified under CRZ-III
• 5.03 hectares fall within CRZ-IVB
• 436.40 hectares are located in non-CRZ areas

After excluding restricted ecological areas such as mangroves, mudflats, salt marshes, and mixed ecological zones, approximately 8,252 hectares remain available for the actual solar project development.

Strategic Location Advantages

The Dholera Solar Park enjoys a strategically advantageous location within the DSIR region. The eastern boundary of the project site extends towards the Gulf of Khambhat, while the Sukhbhadar River flows along the northern side of the region.

The location provides strong infrastructure connectivity and supports future industrial and energy-related developments. The project is expected to significantly contribute to Gujarat’s renewable energy goals while supporting sustainable economic growth.

Environmental and Sustainability Considerations

Environmental studies conducted for the solar park project indicate that no ecologically sensitive areas are located within a 2–3 kilometer radius of the site. The nearest protected ecological zone, the Velavadar Blackbuck Sanctuary, is situated approximately 4 kilometers southwest of the nearest solar plot.

The project has been planned with careful consideration for environmental sustainability and renewable energy development. By reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting clean energy generation, the Dholera Solar Park is expected to become a major contributor to India’s green energy mission.

Future of Renewable Energy in Dholera

The Dholera Solar Park represents a major milestone in India’s renewable energy journey. Along with industrial growth, smart infrastructure, and multimodal connectivity, the solar park further enhances Dholera Smart City’s position as a global investment destination.

As renewable energy demand continues to grow, Dholera is expected to emerge as one of the world’s leading hubs for clean energy production, sustainable industrial development, and smart urban infrastructure.