Panaji: The state government must fast-track the PM Kusum scheme and sign power purchase agreements with landowners who are keen to set up solar plants on uncultivable land, said the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Thursday.
CII said many local companies are ready to set up large solar plants on waste mines. They are willing to invest in the plant, machinery and other infrastructural costs to pump power into the state power grid.
“CII Goa is confident that if the government offers rates in the vicinity of Rs 4.5 per unit there would be sufficient interested parties that would meet Goa’s future renewable energy purchase obligation targets and at the same time reduce the financial implication on the exchequer by offering solar power at a lower rate,” said CII chairperson Swati Salgaocar.
In 2021, Goa produced 151MU of electricity through solar power as opposed to the target of 218 MU. The target for 2022 has been increased to 394MU as demand for electricity has increased this fiscal year. To meet this target, Goa intends to purchase solar power from Arunachal Pradesh Power Corporation Pvt Ltd at Rs. 5.1 per unit.
CII Goa has also recommended that instead of incurring high capital expenditure to set up solar power plants atop government buildings, the Goa government should ink long-term power purchase agreements with renewable energy service companies.
“This will reduce the burden of capital investment on the government, reduce administrative costs incurred by the government for tendering, warranty support, maintenance of the plant etc,” said Salgaocar. CII also asked the government to consider offering incentives to industries that install large scale rooftop solar plants.
CII Goa is confident that if the government offers rates in the vicinity of Rs 4.5 per unit there would be sufficient interested parties that would meet Goa’s future renewable energy purchase obligation targets
Source: PTI
