HP plans 1,000 MW solar project

Himachal Pradesh is planning to allot a solar power project of 1,000 MW in Lahaul Spiti and has taken several steps to attract investments in renewable energy, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has announced.

“Himachal Pradesh is offering land at Rs.1 per square meter for renewable energy projects. The state has deferred royalty payments from renewable energy projects,” he told delegates at the 2nd Global RE-INVEST India-ISA Partnership Renewable Energy Investors Meet & Expo on 3 Oct 2018.

Additionally, the Himachal Pradesh electricity board will buy power directly from renewable energy projects of up to 25MW.

Port Blair has planned 45 MW solar projects, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lt Governor Admiral (Retd) Devendra Kumar Joshi said at the conference.

It will be mandatory for all new buildings in cities to have roof-top solar. “This policy will be extended to rural areas,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh’s Minister of Additional Energy Sources Brajesh Pathak highlighted incentives given by the state government.

“The UP government has provided for single window online clearance of rooftop solar. We have also provided 100% stamp duty exemption on land bought for setting up solar energy plants.
“Additionally, UP is providing 50% concession on charges on solar electricity sold within the state and 100% concession on solar electricity sold outside the state,” he pointed out.

Pathak also called for a solar revolution akin to the country’s telecom revolution.

“Every house should install a 5KW roof top panel and reap the returns. We shall extend all our support to institutional investors as well as to individual households to adopt solar energy,” said Pathak.

Lucknow alone has 700 km of rooftops for solar energy, he added.

But Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has called for government support for innovation in renewable energy.

“The government should protect domestic investors from foreign investors. It must provide subsidy, tax holiday for domestic players to set up solar panel manufacturing facilities in India,” Narayanasamy said.

“Puducherry is a Union Territory and needs the government’s support to develop its renewable energy sector. The government’s renewable energy policy should be implementable, feasible and acceptable,” he stressed. fiinews.com