Jaipur, July 20 -- Union energy minister Prlhad Joshi on Saturday inaugurated 435 megawatt solar power project in Phalodi's Gorbea which is developed by Zelestra India, said officials. "Rajasthan is no longer just radiating sunlight but is now a beacon of hope, energy independence, and self-reliance. With every megawatt we generate, we are not just producing power, we are building a New India. Gorbea's new solar project is shining example of this vision," the minister said after the inauguration. The Gorbea Solar Power Project, delivered in under eight months, spans 1250 acres and is backed by a 25 year Power Purchase Agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India. It will generate 755 gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, powering approximately 1.28 lakh homes and reducing nearly 7.05 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions each year, said officials. "Almost 70% of Rajasthan's power capacity is now sourced from renewable energy, with over 35.4 gigawatts installed, 29.5 gigawatts from solar and 5.2 gigawatts from wind. The state's proactive role in India's renewable energy growth is really commendable," Joshi added. He said, "Such projects have also turned farmers into partners in India's energy journey, as the land used has been leased from them, offering stable income. Our farmers are no longer just food providers. They are now energy providers as well." Joshi lauded chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma for accelerating policy and investment reforms. Rajasthan has adopted the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 and operationalised the Rajasthan Green Hydrogen Policy. Investment commitments worth over Rs 6.57 lakh crore were signed last year with a major focus on renewable energy and green hydrogen....