Solar power set to get a big push in State
In the next 6-8 months, 1800 MW will be added, says Special Chief Secretary Ajay Mishra. Telangana Government plans to launch a campaign soon to disseminate information about various aspects of rooftop solar systems and the benefits for households as well as commercial establishments installing them. Announcing this and seeking support of the industry at a CII workshop on rooftop solar here on Tuesday, Special Chief Secretary to the Department of Energy Ajay Mishra said such a campaign is necessary as many prospective consumers remain unaware of the advantages. As part of its emphasis on solar power, the official said the policy and procedures would continue to be fine tuned to make them easier for the people. The Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad tops the list of initiatives aimed at giving a push to roof top solar.
“The initiative taken by Raj Bhavan… [by way] of installing 900 kilo watt systems is the biggest in domestic sector,” Mr. Mishra said, adding overall there are rooftop systems totalling 20 MW. Admitting that the process is slow, but bound to gain momentum, he said by end of this year, the rooftop solar capacity in the State would double.
Hybrid policy
The official, who also spoke to presspersons later, said overall the installed capacity of solar projects in the State is 1,320 MW solar. In the next 6-8 months, another 1800 MW is to be added, he said, adding the State is also working on a hybrid (solar and wind) policy. On the overall power scenario in Telangana, he said the generation capacity in the State is approximately 6,000 MW and there are plans to scale this up to 22,000 MW in the next 4-5 years. The key drivers of the demand will be industries, with more units expected to set up operations in view of the new industrial policy and the ease of doing business measures in the State. This apart, the demand would come from the new lift irrigation schemes
Green clearances
The 1080 MW Bhadradri project has got environment clearance and the State government expects to receive the same for the 4,000 MW Yadadri project next month. The two projects, adding 5,000 MW, would be implemented in the next 2-2.5 years.
Source:TH
