According to Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar, the government is set to notify a Solar Power Policy in the next 10-15 days. The aim of the policy is to generate 150 MW of power by 2020. The state consumes 550 to 600 MW of power daily.
“The Solar Power Policy is almost finalised and will be notified in the next 10-15 days. Currently the file has gone to the Law Department after which it will be put up before the cabinet for approval. All the required signatures and approval from the Chief Minister have already been taken,” Madkaikar told Herald.
He added, “There was a slight delay to notify the policy as we had to incorporate some of the suggestions from the various stakeholders and also it was kept open for suggestions two times, all the suggestions have been successfully integrated in the policy.”
Chief Electrical Engineer (CEC) Reddy was quoted by Herald as saying, “In the last three years, we have not asked for additional load from the Centre but now as the industrial sector is rapidly increasing we need an additional source and this solar power will act as an alternative giving the State another 150 MW.
Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) drafted a Solar Power Policy for the state which was approved by the cabinet in July this year. It was kept open for suggestions and objections from the public till July 14. As per the draft available on GEDA’s website, the state government aims to provide 150 MW of power to the grid by 2022.
The draft policy states that thermal energy generation is not possible due to eco-sensitive nature of Goa. The state depends entirely on other states for the supply of thermal energy. “To attain self-reliance in power generation and to promote clean source of power generation, the solar policy is being adopted. This would result in reduction of carbon emissions,” the draft policy states.
The draft highlights that the climate of Goa is apt for solar power generation. “Goa is richly endowed with moderate climate and bright sunshine for almost 8-9 months in a year for generating solar power,” it states.
It adds, “The challenge before the State government is not only to meet the ever-growing demand for power, but also to progressively increase the share of renewable sources, so as to achieve an overall energy security.”
Information credit: Herald
ItsGoa/OCT/SST/2
