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The Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is emerging as a hub for India's renewable energy ambitions, drawing multi-billion-dollar projects from Adani Group and Reliance Industries. Adani is building the world's largest green energy park at Khavda, spanning 538 sq km, with 30 GW of solar-wind capacity-5.6 GW already operational and full capacity targeted within four years. Reliance is developing a 2,225 sq km single-site solar project, deploying 55 MW of modules daily with large-scale battery storage, aiming to meet 10% of India's power needs. With NTPC also planning 4.75 GW, Kutch's vast barren land, high solar radiation, and strong grid links make it ideal for large-scale renewable energy.
A barren tract of land in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch, situated close to the Pakistan border, is fast becoming the focus of India's renewable energy plans. The location is attracting multi-billion-USD investments from business leaders Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, both setting up projects of unprecedented scale. Advertisement
Adani Group was the first to move with its Khavda renewable energy park, spread across 538 square kilometres, nearly five times the size of Paris. Planned as the world's largest green energy park, it combines solar and wind capacity to generate 30 GW of power. Work started in 2022, and the first electricity reached the national grid earlier this year. According to the company, 5.6 GW is already operational and the full 30 GW is targeted within the next four years. Discussions are also underway about scaling up to 50 GW, which would make the project even more significant for India's energy mix.
Reliance Industries followed later with its plans for a single-site solar project in Kutch. Spread across 550,000 acres, or about 2,225 square kilometres, the project area is nearly three times larger than Singapore. At its annual general meeting, Anant Ambani, who oversees the energy portfolio, said the site will see daily deployment of 55 MW of solar modules along with 150 MWh of battery containers. He explained that the pace of construction would rank among the fastest globally and that the site could meet close to 10% of India's electricity needs within the next decade. However, Reliance has not given specific capacity estimates or timelines for project completion.
The scale of both projects is linked to Kutch's natural advantages. The region receives some of the highest solar radiation in the country, about 5.5-6.0 kWh per square metre per day, with over 300 sunny days annually. Wind speeds average around 8 m/s, allowing the development of hybrid systems that combine solar and wind, which improves stability and reliability for the grid.
The land itself is mostly barren, unproductive, and sparsely populated, making it suitable for utility-scale energy projects. Since agricultural activity is limited, displacement issues are reduced and land acquisition becomes more economical. Kutch is also close to Gujarat's strong grid infrastructure and evacuation facilities, with nearby ports such as Mundra and Kandla ensuring ease of equipment imports. On top of this, the state government provides incentives such as fast-track clearances and flexible leasing policies.
Alongside Adani and Reliance, state-owned NTPC Ltd has planned 4.75 GW of solar capacity in Khavda. Adani has already diversified into manufacturing components such as solar modules, wind turbines, and green hydrogen, commissioning India's first off-grid 5 MW hydrogen pilot project. Reliance too has announced plans to produce solar modules, batteries, and hydrogen equipment as part of its clean energy chain.
Together, these large-scale projects contribute directly to India's national renewable energy goals, which aim at achieving 500 GW of green capacity by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
Source PTI
5th Jun, 2025
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