The Power Department has okayed a proposal to establish Integrated Renewable Energy Complexes (IREC) for bringing common activities undertaken by four government agencies in the state’s power sector under one umbrella. The government has given administrative sanction for a proposal submitted by the Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) in this regard.
The complexes-one for every district- will serve as common centres for activities related to renewable energy, energy conservation and electrical safety undertaken by ANERT, the KSEB, Electrical Inspectorate and the Energy Management Centre, Kerala (EMC). ANERT will be the implementing agency. For the public, the 14 IRECs will basically act as information providers on various services and renewable energy products offered by government agencies in the state’s power sector.
But the big attraction for the public at the complexes will be a permanent exhibition on renewable energy products, R Harikumar, director, ANERT, said. “The exhibition will have renewable energy products promoted by ANERT. This will be helpful to panchayats and the public, including the student community,” R Harikumar said.
“The Electrical Inspectorate deals with safety aspects while the EMC handles energy conservation. The KSEB, on the other hand, has a wide range of services. Information regarding services offered by all three agencies and ANERT will be available at the complexes,” he said.
Also planned as part of the complexes are a mini theatre for screening videos on renewable energy themes and a library. In the initial stage, ANERT plans to open complexes at Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha. The idea is to have one complex for every district. “Alongside, we plan to shift our district offices to these complexes,” Harikumar said.
Source: newindianexpress
