Two Gurugram societies with India’s largest solar plants yet to receive state subsidy
GURUGRAM: Nearly one and a half years ago, two residential societies signed up for the state’s ambitious grid connected solar power scheme. Till date, however, they are yet to get the promised subsidy from Haryana Department of Renewable Energy (Hareda). One of them, Wellington DLF 5, even filed complaints with the PM’s Office (PMO) and on the CM Window, in response to which it was informed that currently, Hareda doesn’t have funds to disburse, and that the clearance for the same is “awaited from Union ministry of renewable energy”.
Both Wellington in DLF 5 and AWHO Devinder Vihar in Sector 56 claimed they are have the largest residential solar plant installations in the country. On Friday, Wellington’s raised its capacity to 350kW. They joined Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) Devinder Vihar, whose 350kW plant has been operational since July 2018. The Wellington plant accounts for 70% of consumption of its common areas. Dream Housing Society in Mumbai and another society in Pune follow, with 200kW and 115kW installations, respectively.
Wellington Estate claims to have saved Rs 25 lakh in 2018 on their bill with DHBVN, and expect to save Rs 35 lakh this year. Phase 1 of their plant was installed in 2017, with Phase 2 installed this Friday.
Hareda officials told TOI that “funds would come soon”, and disclosed that they have disbursed over Rs 3 crore as subsidy since the scheme was launched in 2014. “Previously, we had 200kW of solar equipment installed on our rooftops,” said Vineet Bagga, president, Wellington RWA. “Today, we added 150kW as additional capacity.” With 350kW of installed capacity, Wellington has the biggest solar installation — among residential installations — in the country. “The cost of installation is now Rs 1.85 crore. We were supposed to get subsidy on this,” said Ajay Jain, general secretary, Wellington RWA. “Till now we have not got any. We took up the matter several times with local officials, CM Window and also PMO.” Residents said that officials to whom their case was delegated at both PMO and CM Window, had said funds for the subsidy were “pending at the level of MNRE”. TOI has obtained the responses which indicate Hareda doesn’t have the funds but an official said funds were “forthcoming”.
An RWA member of AWHO Devinder Vihar also confirmed they were waiting for the subsidy since July 2018, when they installed the system. “We have a 350kW solar plant. But the government is yet to provide the subsidy,” he said.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
