Port Blair, Aug 27: The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Prof. Jagdish Mulkhi on Friday launched 2MWP Grid connected Roof Top SPV Project in A & N Islands at DBRAIT auditorium. Addressing the gathering, the Lt. Governor stated that efforts are being made to make these Islands green energy Islands by giving impetus to solar power projects and encouraging roof top solar power installation. He reiterated the message of the Prime Minister of India on the need for becoming job providers from job seekers and urged the Islands to become power producers and not just consumers. Port Blair, Aug 27: The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Prof. Jagdish Mulkhi on Friday launched 2MWP Grid connected Roof Top SPV Project in A & N Islands at DBRAIT auditorium. Addressing the gathering, the Lt. Governor stated that efforts are being made to make these Islands green energy Islands by giving impetus to solar power projects and encouraging roof top solar power installation. He reiterated the message of the Prime Minister of India on the need for becoming job providers from job seekers and urged the Islands to become power producers and not just consumers.
He said this project will produce 2MW solar power and will benefit around 1000 domestic category consumers of A&N Islands on first come first served basis and the Electricity Department has empanelled three developers for this project. The excess power produced from the rooftop solar power panels will automatically be transferred to the power grid which will fetch remuneration to the owner who can also purchase power from the grid as and when required. A net metering system will also be put in place for this purpose.
The Lt. Governor also informed that 70 % subsidy is being provided by the Government for installation of roof top solar power plant in individual household while the remaining 30% will have to be borne by the individual for which bank loan facility will also be available.
He informed that the Administration has already installed rooftop solar power panels in 18 government buildings including Raj Niwas which saved 1 MW power. He further stated that the tender for installation of 12 MW rooftop solar power plants has already been floated. All government building, schools and PRI offices in A&N Islands will be covered under this project in phase wise. 49 buildings have already been identified in Port Blair city for installation of rooftop solar power panels. He further informed that about 5 lakhs LED bulbs have been distributed in the islands, which has reduced power consumption up to 8 percent. The PBMC today started the work of converting 12,500 street lights of Port Blair into LED lights. This will save around 0.7 MW of power. The Lt. Governor also mentioned about the two solar power plant projects of 17 MW capacity at Manglutan and 8 MW capacity at Chidiyatapu, the foundations for which were laid by the Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh on 7th April 2017
On completion of all these solar power projects, the dependency on diesel based power generation will be reduced to a great extent. This will check environment pollution and also bring down cost of power production in the islands. Besides, the Islands will move fast towards becoming a green Islands. The Lt Governor also urged the people of the islands to avail maximum benefits from the solar power schemes.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary, Shri Anindo Majumdar termed the launch of Grid connected Roof Top SPV Project in A&N Islands as beginning of a movement which requires support from every individual in achieving its target. He said, it is a good opportunity for people to install roof top solar power panels in their respective households which will not only benefit the individual household, but also lead to generation of extra power which can be sold and purchased as and when required.
In his address, the Commissioner- cum- Secretary, Shri Sanjeev Khirwar said electricity produced from diesel is costly and has adverse impact on the environment and in view of this; the Govt. of India is on a mission to produce 100GW solar power in the Country by 2022. To achieve this aim, the support of the Islanders in implementing this project is of paramount importance, he said and urged the Islanders to come forward and make best use of the scheme available for installing rooftop solar power panels in their respective homes. He also threw light on the benefits and process of installation of rooftop solar power panels in individual households which, he said will not only benefit the consumer to have access to full power supply during peak season but can be a source of income for them too.
Earlier, welcoming the gathering, the Superintending Engineer, Electricity Department, Shri U.K.Paul said this project will benefit around 1000 domestic category consumers of A&N Islands. He also called upon the ZP, PRIs and PBMC members to help make this project a success.
A video presentation on features, benefits and modus operandi of implementation of rooftop solar power project in A&N Islands was also screened for the gathering. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by JE Electricity Department, Smti Usha Kapoor.
The PBMC, Chairperson, Shri B. Eswar Rao, Adhyaksh, ZPSA, Shri Jaydeep Kumar Dey, Senior officers of the Administration, PRIs and general public were present on the occasion.
