MP’s latest Neemuch Solar Park shine amidst land conflicts

Neemuch Solar Park in Singoli was virtually inaugurated in December 2024 by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The 330 MW solar project is operated by Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL).

The park is being developed with a total capacity of 500 MW. Of this, Tata Power oversees 431 MW, while the remaining 170 MW has been assigned to Waaree Energy.

Reportedly, work on Waaree Energy's 170 MW project will begin this month and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. By then, the solar park is projected to generate a total of 500 MW of solar power.

The project represents India's push for renewable energy, leveraging advanced technologies to deliver affordable solar power and cut carbon emissions. However, the project highlights persistent issues with land acquisition, as displaced villagers face economic hardships and reduced agricultural income. These challenges raise critical questions about the necessity of using fertile land for solar energy when alternatives like barren land remain untapped.

Why is this project special?

Spread across 1,635.63 acres, the project is the first of its kind to incorporate advanced technologies such as single-axis trackers and bi-facial modules.

Single-axis trackers enable solar panels to follow the sun's movement from sunrise to sunset, optimising energy capture throughout the day. Bifacial modules are innovative solar panels that can absorb sunlight from both the front and rear surfaces, significantly boosting energy generation compared to traditional mono-facial modules. The project also employs high-efficiency bifacial glass-to-glass modules with capacities of 560 Wp and 565 Wp, further enhancing its output.

Tata Power claims that due to all these technologies, the efficiency of the energy system has increased by more than 15 percent. The project will also result in a reduction of 7,80,300 metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

One-fourth of the solar energy generated from Singoli will go to West Central Railway of Indian Railways. This solar energy given to the railways will help the railway service in 7 states of the country. The remaining three-fourths will go to the MP Power Management Company of the Madhya Pradesh government.

The most remarkable thing about the Neemuch Solar Project is that the electricity from Neemuch will be available at the cheapest rates across the country. While the lowest tariff for solar power in the entire country was Rs 2.48 per unit, it is Rs. 2.15 per unit in Neemuch. Although there are other aspects of such a project, which are often hidden in the glare of the project's success.

Land acquisition and concerns

Despite being hailed as one of India’s most advanced solar parks, the project has sparked land acquisition conflicts. As with many large-scale renewable energy projects in India, villagers were compelled to give away their land to the government but did not receive the promised employment opportunities in return. Similarly, at the Rewa Solar Plant, residents of the host village have reported being excluded from employment opportunities at the project. The impact assessment report for the Neemuch Solar Project highlights similar issues, reflecting persistent challenges in ensuring local benefits from such initiatives.

The solar park spans three villages: Bardawada, Kawai, and Badi. Approximately 10% of the land in these villages is privately owned and was previously used for farming. In total, 204 individuals in Neemuch have had their land acquired for the project, and 21 families have been displaced from their homes. Additionally, 67% of the villagers' income previously depended on agriculture, which is likely to be significantly impacted following the land acquisition.

The report also underlines that the land that will be available for grazing and firewood collection after acquisition for the project will be away from the village. This will not only affect the condition of animal husbandry in the village but will also increase the burden of labour on women.

In addition to these, 16 houses have been described as extremely sensitive in the report. Of these, 11 households were headed by women and one by an elderly person. The acquisition in the project could also bring these households to the brink of economic dislocation. Limited access to rehabilitation programmes and limited literacy can make this displacement even more severe.

When calculating the true cost of this project, it becomes clear that the village’s agriculture will be significantly impacted, leading to greater reliance on the Public Distribution System (PDS). The acquisition will also reduce available pasture land, driving up costs for animal feed. This will result in widespread economic disruption. There will be economic dislocation. The immovable property of 59 persons, such as animal enclosures, borewells, hand pumps, etc., will be removed. 264 trees will be cut, which will affect the lives dependent on them for wood, fruits, and shade. These prices are usually not included in the project receipt.

The report also provides some suggestions for bridging the impacts of the acquisition. These suggestions say that landowners should be consulted before acquisition, water should be provided for their cultivation, a management plan should be prepared for the pasture land, etc.

However, the project wasn't an easy one. The villagers of Neemuch had also protested against the acquisition. But in the end, it was acquired. On what terms the acquisition took place and how many of the suggestions suggested in the report were accepted is a matter of investigation.

This is not the only case. Earlier, a similar situation had arisen at the Welspun Solar Project in Neemuch. There are many such cases across the country where land of farmers has been acquired for a project.

A study by The Nature Conservancy and Microsoft reveals that approximately 67.6% of existing solar projects in India are built on agricultural land. This indicates that a significant portion of farmland has been diverted for renewable energy parks. Notably, about 38.6% of this agricultural land could have been used for seasonal crops, underscoring the extensive impact of solar energy development on India’s agricultural landscape.

These developments raise pressing questions: Is acquiring arable land for solar projects truly necessary? Why can't such initiatives be established on the waste and barren lands available in villages instead?

Solar capacity of Madhya Pradesh

As of June 30, 2023, Madhya Pradesh has a total generation capacity of 25,975.67 MW, with renewable energy sources contributing 36% to this capacity, according to the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC). Within the renewable energy segment, solar energy plays a significant role, accounting for 32.33% of the total renewable capacity, which amounts to 3,022 MW. At the same time, Madhya Pradesh is continuously increasing its solar energy capacity.

These figures clearly show that the solar power generation capacity of Madhya Pradesh has increased. However, the government still faces significant challenges due to weak grids, reduced irrigation time, and high electricity rates for citizens.

Although the Solar Park reportedly promises cheaper solar power rates and significant reductions in carbon emissions, the project has been touted as a milestone for the state's solar potential. However, it also mirrors a recurring challenge in India's renewable energy expansion—land acquisition conflicts and socio-economic impacts on local communities.

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