Agreement to Set-Up Large-Scale Solar Parks

Solar Parks Agreement

Question: For what amount India has recently signed a loan agreement with World Bank shared infrastructure for Solar Park project?
(a) USD 75 million
(b) USD 98 million
(c) USD 100 million
(d) USD 150 million
Answer: (b) 
Related Facts:

  • On November 20, 2017, A Guarantee Agreement for IBRD/CTF loan of USD 98 million and Grant Agreement for USD 2 million for the “Shared Infrastructure for Solar Parks Project” were signed by India with World Bank.
  • The Agreement was signed by Mr Sameer Kumar Khare, Joint Secretary (MI), Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of Government of India, and Mr Hisham A. Abdo, Acting Country Director, World Bank India, on behalf of the World Bank.
  • A Loan Agreement was also signed by Mr K S Popli, Chairman and Managing Director, India Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) and Mr Hisham A. Abdo, Acting Country Director, World Bank India, on behalf of the World Bank.
  • The project consists of two components viz. (i) Shared Infrastructure for Solar Parks (estimated total project cost of USD 100 million, including USD 75 million in IBRD loan and USD 23 million in CTF Loan) and (ii) Technical Assistance (USD 2 million in CTF Grant).
  • The objective of the project is to increase solar generation capacity through establishment of large-scale parks in the country.
  • The project will help establish large-scale solar parks and support the government’s plan to install 100 Gigawatts (GW) of solar power out of a total renewable-energy target of 175 GW by 2022.

Reference:                            
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2017/11/20/project-signing-government-india-world-bank-sign-agreement-set-up-large-scale-solar-parks
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=173671