The West Bengal government's proposal to set up a large solar power plant – billed as the largest in the world – is "under consideration" of the central government, an official said Wednesday.

 

 According to solar energy expert S.P. Gonchaudhury, who is also advisor to the state government's power department, "If sanctioned, the power plant planned in Purulia district will generate 250 MW of power."

 

 "There is plenty of land in Purulia… we are scouting locations near an existing water pumping plant in the Baghmundi area. The detailed project report is under consideration of the ministry of renewable energy," Gonchaudhury told IANS. "If sanctioned, it will be the world's largest solar power plant in terms of capacity generation," he said.

 

 Moreover, the unique aspect of the project is that solar energy will be used to pump water during the day while the water stored in the process will generate electricity during the night when solar energy is not available. "The entire process will rely on non-conventional energy source, that is, solar and hydro, and will be completely green," he added.

 

 With an estimated cost of Rs.1,700 crore, the venture will top other solar power plants of 150-160 MW capacity.