Chandigarh August 19: Punjab Government today sought two pilot projects from Union Renewable Energy Ministry to produce power from flow of rivers in the State. The State also sought two demonstration projects funded by Union Ministry to harness power from waterfalls with a head of 1-1.5mt.
Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Science Technology and Non Renewable Energy Minister Punjab in a high level meeting with Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Mr. Vilas Baburao Muttemwar today demanded assistance from Union Ministry for ushering in an era of non-renewable energy in Punjab.
The Minister informed the Union Minister that Punjab was committed to generate 10% of total generation capacity of the State from non-renewable resources and Union Government should provide assistance to make Punjab a model of Non-Renewable Energy generation in the Country so that others states could emulate. The Union Minister offered total support of his Ministry to translate this dream into reality.
Mr. Majithia sought 50% subsidy on two additional projects to generate 2 MW power from cow dung. He said that Punjab was planning to expand existing 1 MW project at Haebowal into 2 MW and would set up another project at another location at Ludhiana. The Union Minister agreed to consider this proposal keeping in view the vast potential of this project.
Giving a novel suggestion to harness abundant solar energy in the country, Mr. Majithia suggested that subsidy of 1.25 lac per MW presently available for government institutions, be extended to domestic as well as individual housing buildings for setting up Photovoltaic Power Plant and these plants be connected to the State grid. He also suggested that Ministry should seek income tax benefits for individuals and institutions setting up these plants. Mr. Vilas Baburao Muttemwar appreciating the suggestion asked his Secretary to involve Punjab in making day conceptual paper of this proposal.
Putting up the case of farmers of Punjab strongly Mr. Majithia demanded that subsidy of Rs. 1.80 lac on Solar Photovoltaic water pumps for irrigation purposes be restored immediately as Punjab farmers are lining up to install such pumps and state had 300 applications pending for such pumps. The Minister informed that the 1800 pumps already installed have proved quite successful and Ministry should immediately restore the subsidy. The Union Minister promised to reconsider this proposal keeping in view the fact that Punjab was the ‘food basket’ of India.
It was also agreed in the meeting to operationalize Sardar Swaran Singh National institute for Renewable Energy at Kapurthala within one year. It was informed in the meeting that 70% civil work of the building was already complete.
The Union Minister asked Punjab Government to setup solar power plants on BOT basis as Union Government was giving a grant of Rs. 12.50 per unit for such plants. He informed that against the propsed plants of 50 MW, the Union Government has already received proposals from private players for 2000 MW plants.
Mr. A.S. Chattwal Secretary Science & Technology and a team of officers from Union Ministry headed by Union Secretary non-renewable energy participated in the meeting.