ANERT solar plant unveiled
Electricity Minister launches solar smart off-grid power plant programme
Making a larger intervention in the field of non-conventional energy sector, Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT), under the State government, has commissioned a 2-MW solar power plant at Kuzhalmannam near here.
Electricity Minister M.M. Mani inaugurated the plant in the presence of Minister A.K. Balan and also launched the State-level solar smart off-grid power plant programme of ANERT.
Maximum utilisation
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mani said the government was keen on maximum utilisation of solar and wind energy available in the State.
While border areas of Idukki district would soon be equipped with solar energy units, Palakkad district would get emphasis for wind energy units.
He also promised maximum government backup for individuals and establishments keen on installing roof-top solar power units. He also called for maximum utilisation of Central government subsidies in the non-conventional energy sector.
Established
The Kuzhalmannam unit was established by the ANERT by spending about Rs.24 crore.
Spread over 13 acres of land owned by ANERT in the locality, the plant generated power that would be fed into the KSEB grid.
The solar smart off-grid power plant programme aimed to equip 10,000 houses with rooftop solar power plants of 1 kW capacity. It was expected that the programme would generate a total of 10 MW and produce about 1 crore units of power every year to bridge the demand-supply gap in the State’s power sector.
ANERT project officer Ajith Gopi said the off-grid solar photovoltaic (SPV) plants would obviate the problem of transmission loss and ensure round-the-clock uninterrupted power supply, while saving 100 to 120 units of electricity every month.
Source:PTI
