Solar energy policy for Goa soon
PANAJI: Pointing out that an eco-friendly power source environment is needed for the state, Padma Jaiswal, power secretary, on Friday, said that a solar energy policy for Goa will be announced within one-and-a-half-months.
She said that delay in coming out with a solar energy policy has been due to the fact that it has to be vetted by various departments and will incorporate stakeholders’ suggestions.
The solar energy policy for Goa will be in conformity with national solar mission and offer liberal incentives to users. “Incentives will depend on the category of consumers, but it will be generous and go as high as 50 per cent grant-in-aid,” Jaiswal stated.
“Several investors from outside are keen on setting up solar power plants in the state,” according to Jaiswal. She said solar tariffs are decided by JERC but the government will not blindly go by JERC rules. “The state will go for reverse bidding to get a distributor who offers the lowest tariffs,” power secretary stated, while speaking at the CII-Goa conference on solar energy attended by stakeholders and by local industrialists.
She disclosed that the government is not only eager to meet the ever growing demand for power but also to progressively increase the share of renewable sources in the energy mix so as to achieve overall energy security and also to meet the renewable purchase obligation (RPO). “It can be done by promoting the systematic tapping of solar energy potential to the maximum. It is expected that in near future the solar PV, solar thermal and solar PV systems will be set up by the government and private entrepreneurs for captive consumption as well as for export,” said Jaiswal.
“India has been a partner to Germany for renewable energy generation,” said Dr Jurgen Morhard, Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany. He pointed out that Germany has economically viable solar power plants and makes extensive use of solar power despite having less of sunshine than India. Even Goa can go in for solar power plants due to ample availability of sunlight, he said. “Clean energy like solar is the need of the hour as the non-renewable energy like gas, coal, has caused more harm to the already changing climates of India,” said Dr Morhard.
James Kurian, associate vice president, Godrej & Boyce, delivered the theme address while Atreya Sawant, president, CII-Goa, gave the inaugural speech. The vote of thanks was by Bharat Kamat, Goa chairman, IGBC.
Source: navhindtimes.in
