Highlights:
- The Punjab authorities has accredited an outlay of Rs 60.50 crore to develop photo voltaic vitality methods for rural piped water supply schemes within the state, decreasing annual electrical energy prices by Rs 8–9 crore.
- With a complete put in capability of 8.698 MW, photo voltaic vitality vegetation primarily based on internet metering might be in-built 970 rural water supply methods, serving 1,508 villages.
The Punjab authorities has accredited an outlay of Rs 60.50 crore to develop photo voltaic vitality methods for rural piped water supply schemes within the state, decreasing annual electrical energy prices by Rs 8–9 crore. With a complete put in capability of 8.698 MW, photo voltaic vitality vegetation primarily based on internet metering might be in-built 970 rural water supply methods, serving 1,508 villages. Minister of Water Provide and Sanitation Bram Shanker Jimpa stated, “The administration goals to place primary amenities at individuals’s doorsteps. The intention of this initiative is to scale back the burden of payments on electrical energy to make sure the monetary viability of water provide schemes and the efficient operation and administration of rural water provide schemes by gram panchayat water provide committees.Moreover, it’s going to promote the usage of clear vitality and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Punjab has one of many increased electrical energy buy prices within the nation, due to its distance from pithead coal, in addition to an electrical energy subsidy coverage that’s ineffective, however stays a political threat to repair. Discovering methods to scale back the burden of electrical energy subsidies utilizing cheaper renewable vitality generated throughout the state makes a variety of sense, accordingly.
Earlier, the Punjab administration determined to put in 300 MW value of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy installations. In line with an official assertion outlining the choice made at a high-level convention held lately, these tasks embody 100 MW floating photo voltaic PV energy tasks on reservoirs and lakes and 200 MW canal-top photo voltaic PV energy tasks.
As well as, One lakh electrical agricultural tubewells, presently in use within the state, are powered by photo voltaic vitality by the Punjab authorities. The Ministry of New and Renewable Power acquired a request to solarize 1 lakh grid-connected electrical tubewells, and the Union Authorities accredited it whereas additionally setting a goal of 1 lakh pumps for the state.