Panaji: As the state government looks to meet its zero carbon emission target for 2030, it has come up with a roadmap to transition to electricity generated via solar energy. Through Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), the state plans to conduct a feasibility study and then prepare a detailed project report for grid-connected solar power plants on government buildings and school buildings.
Aside from this, the state is looking at setting up 10MW ground-mounted solar power plants in the state. The goal of the feasibility study is to identify locations for the solar power plants and then float tenders to set up the grid connected solar energy plants. GEDA has already moved to hire a consultant to conduct the study and prepare the proposal that will take into account the land constraints, existing grid capacity and the projected energy demand.
GEDA, along with the consultant and Goa electricity department will work out the cost of electricity to be levied for the solar energy generated and distributed through the plants.
As per the Central Electricity Authority data of November 2022, Goa’s total installed power capacity was 74.79MW, of which 26.79MW was from renewable energy sources and 48MW was from gas power plants. The state has resolved to move away from fossil-fuel based thermal energy consumption towards non-conventional energy sources such as solar, solid waste powered plants and have large scale solar plants and waste to energy plants to produce significant electricity within Goa.
Once appointed, the consultant will have to identify environmental and social challenges and then provide broad mitigation measures to address the concerns. “Goa has a moderate climate and abundance of sunshine for 8-9 months a year, making it a suitable state for generating solar power. Goa meets its power requirement by procuring over 90% of power from central sector generating plants,” said a GEDA official.
