At least one city to be made 100% RE

India is further increasing its development of solar energy with the states told to submit proposals for additional 20,000MW capacity under Solar Park scheme.

This was concluded after a meeting of state energy ministers chaired by Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Raj Kumar Singh on 7 Dec 2017.

The meeting called for promotion of solar rooftops and ensure hassle free grid connectivity and promote solar pumps to replace diesel pumps.

Among others, it called for setting up of 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground Mounted Grid Connected Solar Power Plants, installation of 17.50 Lakh Stand-alone Solar Pumps, Solarisation of 10 Lakh Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps and 50,000 Tube-wells/Lift Irrigation Projects by Financial Year 2021-22.

The state ministers were told to identify at least one city for making it 100% Renewable Energy city.

Singh has proposed forming of Consultative Groups of Experts to handhold State Governments in bringing efficiency through best practices in their respective Power Sectors and phase out obsolete practices and technologies.

By doing this, Singh emphasized that Power Sector in India would become robust and efficient and ultimately ensure Ease of Living for every citizen of the country.

The meeting also called for a roadmap for reduction of cross subsidies as per Tariff Policy by March 2018 and bring in Tariff reforms by simplification of Consumer Tariff categories and rationalization of Electricity Tariff. fii-news.com