The Times of India 22.02.2013
Hubli-Dharwad set to become solar cities
HUBLI: In a bid to tackle the perpetual power crisis,
the government has decided to initiate the solar city project in Hubli.
The government has already given its consent to sanction Rs 5 crore for
the 'Solar City' project.
Under the 11th five year plan, the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has decided to turn 60 cities into solar or green cities in the country. Hubli-Dharwad and Mysore are two cities chosen by the MNRE in the state.
According to sources, the solar city project is conceptualized to enable government offices like corporation office, PWD office, deputy commissioner and tahsildhar's offices to reduce their consistent dependence on electricity. Plans are afoot to install solar panels in all government buildings and institutes. There is also an option for local bodies to set up solar power plants on open land to generate solar energy under this project.
Speaking to TOI, Satish Phatke, executive engineer, electrical department, HDMC, said the main objective was to encourage local governments to adopt renewable energy technology, MNRE proposed solar city project to our city
. "According to the plan, initially, local bodies have to reduce their dependence on conventional energy by at least 10% within five years. Gradually, we need to improve generation of solar energy and should become more dependent on solar energy than electricity," he said.
For the solar city project, the Centre will give 30% financial assistance through MNRE, the state will have to pitch-in with 20%, and the remaining 50% of funds has to be borne by the local bodies, he said.
Karnataka Renewable Energy Department Limited (KREDL) has completed the project proposal and submitted it to Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC). As per the plan, the project term is for five years and at the end of the fifth year, the total investment for twin city will be Rs 198 crore.
N K Payannavar, DGM and regional head, KREDL, Hubli, said: "We will give technical support to HDMC to make Hubli-Dharwad a solar or green city. As it is a five-year plan, every year, local bodies have to set up solar energy plant which can generate 5 mega watts of solar energy in twin cities."
Under the 11th five year plan, the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has decided to turn 60 cities into solar or green cities in the country. Hubli-Dharwad and Mysore are two cities chosen by the MNRE in the state.
According to sources, the solar city project is conceptualized to enable government offices like corporation office, PWD office, deputy commissioner and tahsildhar's offices to reduce their consistent dependence on electricity. Plans are afoot to install solar panels in all government buildings and institutes. There is also an option for local bodies to set up solar power plants on open land to generate solar energy under this project.
Speaking to TOI, Satish Phatke, executive engineer, electrical department, HDMC, said the main objective was to encourage local governments to adopt renewable energy technology, MNRE proposed solar city project to our city
. "According to the plan, initially, local bodies have to reduce their dependence on conventional energy by at least 10% within five years. Gradually, we need to improve generation of solar energy and should become more dependent on solar energy than electricity," he said.
For the solar city project, the Centre will give 30% financial assistance through MNRE, the state will have to pitch-in with 20%, and the remaining 50% of funds has to be borne by the local bodies, he said.
Karnataka Renewable Energy Department Limited (KREDL) has completed the project proposal and submitted it to Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC). As per the plan, the project term is for five years and at the end of the fifth year, the total investment for twin city will be Rs 198 crore.
N K Payannavar, DGM and regional head, KREDL, Hubli, said: "We will give technical support to HDMC to make Hubli-Dharwad a solar or green city. As it is a five-year plan, every year, local bodies have to set up solar energy plant which can generate 5 mega watts of solar energy in twin cities."
