In Short : Goa is set to receive new guidelines aimed at integrating clean energy targets. These measures will support the state’s transition to sustainable energy, promoting environmental sustainability and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
In Detail : Panaji: State govt is likely to prepare the implementation guidelines for the hydrogen policy, the hydrogen usage policy, the net-zero emission and green-steam policy for industries, and the renewable energy (RE) policy for aquaculture. The initiative will help Goa achieve the targets of the Clean Energy Roadmap.
In govt’s view, the strategic scope of partnership for the implementation of the roadmap covers capacity-building, technical, and financial categories.
The power department, Goa Energy Development Agency, the department of new and renewable energy (NRE) and associated departments and agencies will work together for the strategic implementation of the programmes. Solarising the health sector and implementing the integrated green-rating system for the tourism sector are among the programmes.
A senior officer said state govt’s role in implementing the Energy Plan Programme with GIZ — a German service provider in India — will include piloting innovative technologies such as the RE application to fishery value chains and the carbon-financed aggregation of renewable energy.
Technical assistance to analyse the potential of (pump) storage necessary for grid stability/balancing, to boost Goa’s investment market readiness, and to spread awareness of RE’s advantages among stakeholders and beneficiaries are some elements of the implementation process, the officer said.
GIZ and state govt will identify sectors/areas for intervention based on the state’s priority commitments, the interests of key stakeholders, and the market ecosystem.
The officer said that state govt will provide the necessary data/information and timely feedback, and will take intermediary strategic decisions to initiate the subsequent phases of technical cooperation.
“The state will leverage finance (necessary) for the technical pilot schemes or for rolling out programmes,” the officer said. “Besides, the state will form an appropriate review committee for each thematic area of clean energy.”
The officer said that the assessment of innovative solar technologies (such as floating solar, agro PV, and rail and road integrated solar PV) will be among the focus areas.
Exploring the potential of micro-grid and its productive application in remote areas of Goa such as Valpoi, Dharbandora, and Usgao are on the cards.
The implementation will also factor in the assessment of the livelihood value chain promoted by the biodiversity board and the estimation of the biomass value chain to design a market model to promote biomass-technology-based livelihoods.
Promoting green cooking across Goa at homestays and restaurants, and in areas where biomass is used as the primary fuel will also be a part of the implementation exercise, the officer said.
