Electric cars, buses to drive power sector
Spurred by the ‘green energy’ concept, and forced to search for alternative sources of revenue in a state where industrial growth has stagnated, the state electricity board (KSEB) is looking to set up charging stations for electric vehicles in major cities. The board is also planning to introduce electric vehicles in major government hospitals and technology parks soon.
“Our plan is to create an awareness about non-polluting electric cars for both personal and mass transportation. The board wants to ensure that our state is ready to enjoy the benefits of numerous innovations in the electric vehicle segment. Besides, it will evolve as a business model for the board for promotion of the renewable energy segment,” KSEB chairman and managing director K Ellangovan said.
The state road transport corporation too has initiated talks with at least three vehicle manufacturing companies for electric buses. “The government wants to test the efficiency of electric vehicles before opting for the same for mass transportation,” a department source said.
To begin with, solar-powered charging points are planned on Thiruvananthapuram medical college campus, Technopark and a location each in Ernakulam and Kozhikode. These grid-connected charging stations will conform to specifications laid down by the department of heavy industries on standardization of public electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
Being a state with few heavy industries, the demand for power from the industrial segment has been recording only a marginal increase over the years. The power demand in the state has also recorded a negative growth for the first time during 2017 summer. “The tendencies in state power sector are witnessing a change and the board needs to tap new consumer segments. Since majority consumers belong to the domestic category, the financial returns are low. The revenue from the commercial and industrial segments could also come down once private players increase in the sector,” a senior KSEB officer said.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
