All approvals from CM received; Aim is to generate 150 MW of solar power by 2020.
PANJIM: Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar on Saturday said the government will notify the Solar Power Policy in the next 10-15 days which aims to generate 150 MW of power by 2020.
The solar power generated will give a boost to the state which is rapidly moving towards industrial sector and also act as an alternative to the existing source. Currently the State consumes about 550 to 600 MW of power daily.
Speaking to Herald, Madkaikar said, “The Solar Power Policy is almost finalised and will be notified in the next 10-15 days. Currently the file has gone to the Law Department after which it will be put up before the cabinet for approval. All the required signatures and approval from the Chief Minister have already been taken.”
He added, “There was a slight delay to notify the policy as we had to incorporate some of the suggestions from the various stakeholders and also it was kept open for suggestions two times, all the suggestions have been successfully integrated in the policy.”
Chief Electrical Engineer (CEC) Reddy said, “In the last three years, we have not asked for additional load from the Centre but now as the industrial sector is rapidly increasing we need an additional source and this solar power will act as an alternative giving the State another 150 MW.
The draft Solar Power Policy prepared by the State-run Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), was approved by the cabinet in July this year but was kept open for suggestions and objections from the public and stakeholders till July 14.
Under the policy, the State government aims to provide 150 MW of solar power to the grid by 2022, as per the draft available on the website of GEDA.
Since Goa is eco-sensitive, thermal energy generation is not possible. Thus, Goa has to entirely depend on the thermal energy from other states, says the draft.
“To attain self-reliance in power generation and to promote clean source of power generation, the solar policy is being adopted. This would result in reduction of carbon emissions,” the draft policy states.
The draft further states, “Goa is richly endowed with moderate climate and bright sunshine for almost 8-9 months in a year for generating solar power.”
It adds, “The challenge before the State government is not only to meet the ever-growing demand for power, but also to progressively increase the share of renewable sources, so as to achieve an overall energy security.”
Source: heraldgoa.in
