Indian Govt. alerts world’s largest solar park, and RIL’s biggest global refinery as tensions with Pakistan escalate
JAMNAGAR : The Centre has put the country’s key energy assets along the Pakistan border in Gujarat—including the world’s largest solar power park at Khavda, and the world’s biggest oil refinery at Jamnagar—on high alert, along with increasing the security at these facilities.
“The security at energy installations along the Pakistan border, including Khavda RE park and Jamnagar refinery are already at high alert and security has been further tightened,” said a person aware of the development on condition of anonymity.
Khavda is touted to be the world’s largest renewable energy park with a cumulative capacity of 45 GW, with Adani Green developing the largest share of 30 GW. The other developers in the park include state-run NTPC and Gujarat Industries Power Company (GIPC).
The project, in Kutch area of Gujarat, is just 1 km away from the India-Pakistan border and falls under the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF). Jamnagar oil refinery is also under high alert as the area has an airbase and is a no-fly zone for civilian aircraft. The refinery is owned and operated by Reliance Industries, and is the largest and most complex single-site refinery in the world with 1.4 million barrels per day (MMBPD) crude processing capacity and a complexity index of 21.1—the highest in the world.
Jamnagar oil refinery is also under high alert as the area has an airbase and is a no-fly zone for civilian aircraft. The refinery is owned and operated by Reliance Industries, and is the largest and most complex single-site refinery in the world with 1.4 million barrels per day (MMBPD) crude processing capacity and a complexity index of 21.1—the highest in the world.
“What goes beyond the supply of electricity is the enduring and unwavering response supported by strong infrastructure that is built, keeping in mind, geopolitical unpredictability,” he added.
There are three Indian Air Force bases – Jamnagar, Naliya and Bhuj – within a radius of 50 km and the area is under high alert. Further, the Jamnagar airport is also closed, along with 24 other airports as per NOTAM (Notice To Airmen) issued by the government till 9 May.
The preparedness has been enhanced after the Indian armed forces carried out targeted strikes on nine terror-linked sites under ‘Operation Sindoor’ early on Wednesday.
The operation came as a response to terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir that killed 26 people, including a Nepali citizen.