Nasik, July 30 - New and Renewable Energy Miniser Farooq Abdullah Thursday inaugurated a large solar steam system at the pilgrim town of Shirdi, some 90 km from here, which officials say is the world's largest that can generate 3,500 kg of steam every day - enough to cook food for 20,000 people.

The solar system has been designed for cooking food for devotees visiting the shrine devoted to Sai Baba - a 19th century Sufi saint who was revered by Hindus and Muslims alike.

The total cost of the solar steam system is estimated at Rs.1.33 crore for which a subsidy of Rs.58.4 lakh has been provided by the renewable energy ministry.

The system will result in annual savings of 100,000 kg of cooking gas. It has been designed in such a way that it will generate steam for cooking even in the absence of electricity to run the feed water pump for circulating water in the system.