By – Smt. Kalpana Palkhiwala : In India, several cities and towns are experiencing 15% growth in the peak electricity demand. This rapid rise in demand has resulted in most of the cities and towns are facing severe electricity shortages. Thus managing energy demand has emerged as a priority for the local governments and Municipal Corporations.
An action plan, therefore, needs to be developed which would lead to reduction in conventional energy consumption, besides reducing enormous amount of CO2 emission in the atmosphere by way of using energy conservation and renewable energy devices and systems. Accordingly, a programme on ¡¥Development of solar cities¡¨ has been developed to promote the use of Renewable Energy in Urban Areas by providing support to the Municipal Corporations for preparation and implementation of a Road Map to develop their cities as Solar Cities.
Objectives
The objectives of the programme are to enable Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to address energy challenges at City level; to provide framework and support to ULBs to prepare a Master Plan including assessment of current energy situation, future demand and action plans; to build capacity in ULBs and create awareness among all sections of civil society; to involve various stakeholders in the planning process; and to oversee the implementation of sustainable energy options through public – private partnerships.
Physical Targets
A total of 60 cities are proposed to be developed as ¡§Solar Cities¡¨ during the 11th Plan period. At least one city in each State to a maximum of five cities in a State will be supported by the Ministry. The cities included in the program will have more than 5 lakh and less than 50 lakh population.
Major activities
The Programme has been designed to address challenges in delivering sustainable energy at city level through Preparation of a Master Plan within a period of one year from the date of sanctioning by the Ministry. The Master Plan prepared as per the indicative guidelines would provide total and sector-wise projections for energy demand and supply for next ten years. Further, it would provide a complete sector-wise base-line on energy utilization and GHG emissions in the city. Year-wise targets for energy conservation, renewable energy addition and GHG abatement along with the action plan for implementation will be clearly brought out in the Master Plan. Potential sources of funding from respective organizations (both public and private) for providing financial support will be identified. Before finalization, the draft Master Plan would be discussed in a Stakeholders Consultation Workshop having representation from elected representatives, local research and academic institutions, resident welfare associations, industries and corporate organizations, NGOs, SNA, etc. The Master Plan will have a minimum target of reduction in their energy consumption by 10% from the existing level and consequent reduction in CO2 emissions.
The programme will also include setting up of ¡§Solar City Cell¡¨ in the City Council which will have Senior Administrator and City Engineers for planning and implementation. A ¡§Solar City Stakeholders Committee¡¨ will be set up for advisory support involving representation from elected representatives in the municipal bodies, local research and academic institutions, resident welfare associations, industries and corporate organizations, NGOs, State Nodal Agencies and other relevant stakeholder.
Organizing training programmes/ workshops/ business meets/ awareness camps etc. for various stakeholders such as elected representatives of the municipal bodies, municipal officials, architects/engineers, builders and developers, financial institutions, NGOs, technical institutions, manufactures and suppliers, RWAs etc. and visits/ study tours within India;
Preparation of proposals for carbon financing and organizing publicity and awareness campaign through print & electronic media, would also be a part of the programme.
Financial Provisions
The Financial Provisions would be up to Rs. 50 Lakhs per city or town depending upon population and initiatives decided to be taken by the City Council/Administration:
„« Up to Rs 10 lakhs for preparation of a Master Plan within a year
„« Up to Rs. 10 lakhs for oversight of implementation during five years
„« Up to Rs.10 lakhs for setting up of Solar Cell and its functioning for a period of five years.
„« Remaining amount of Rs. 20 lakhs to be utilized in five years for other promotional activities.
Capital/interest subsidies would be provided to the users for installation of various renewable energy devices as per the provisions of various schemes of the Ministry. Support for various other activities will also be provided as per the scheme provisions. Priority for support will be given to cities identified as potential Solar Cities. These cities will be considered as priority cities by the Ministry, IREDA and other implementing institutions for promoting the use of renewable energy devices/systems. SNAs may also request the Ministry to allocate higher targets for installation of various renewable energy devices/systems in these cities under its different schemes through subsidies.
Criteria for selection of cities
The programme encourages cities with high level of commitment and leadership quality. MNRE will consider the following while selection of cities:
City Population, regional setting and prominence in region; Political and administrative commitment towards adoption of sustainable energies (Resolution to be passed by the City Council/Administration for implementing all the activities specified in the ¡¥Solar cities¡¦ programme); Regulatory measures taken on adoption of energy conservation and renewable energy; Potential for adoption of energy conservation and renewable energy in the city activities; Initiatives already taken by City Council/Administration/ Private Developers/ Industry/ General Public in promoting energy conservation and renewable energy; Urban Local Bodies¡¦ previous experience in involving public participation and working with all stakeholders; and Willingness to provide resources and sustenance of activities initiated under the programme.
Submission of Proposals & release of funds
Proposals as per the prescribed format will be submitted by the City Council/ Administration through State Nodal Agency. The proposals will be examined in the Ministry based on which 50% of the CFA recommended by an independent panel constituted for advice and guidance on implementation of the scheme will be released on sanctioned projects and rest on progressive achievements and utilization of funds released.
Institution of Awards
Annual awards to identified Solar Cities will be given in the form of Shields/ Certificates based on the information provided by City Council/Administration in regard to initiatives taken on developing their city as Solar City.
Model Solar Cities
To set an example for other cities to be developed as Solar Cities, the Ministry would develop two cities as Model Solar Cities. Financial support up to a maximum Rs.9.50 crore will be given to each of these Model Solar Cities for implementation of the Master Plan developed under the scheme from the Ministry. The support will be on 50% cost sharing basis from respective Municipal Corporation/City Administration/State Government. Release will be made after the city identified for development as Model Solar City submits its Master Plan for which a separate support is available under the scheme as per above. As the total funds of Rs. 19 cores (MNRE support of Rs. 9.50 crore & the matching grant from Municipal Corporation/City Administration/State Government) for developing a city as Model Solar City may not be sufficient, the city, in addition to this grant will be eligible to draw separate support for installation of renewable energy systems from various ongoing schemes of the Ministry wherein the present restriction on the number/ capacity of renewable energy systems/devices being supported in a city, if any, may not be applicable.