The Centre has
identified Bangalore and 59 other cities and towns in the country for
large-scale shift to solar energy to power street lighting.
According to a plan drawn up by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy, Bangalore and the other identified cities will be developed as
model solar-powered cities in cooperation with local municipal bodies.
In these cities solar power will be used for street lights and at other
public places. “The ministry, in its emphasis on encouraging the public
to tap non conventional energy sources, will extend financial
assistance up to Rs 50 lakh to each city. This financial assistance is
apart from capital subsidies as per various ongoing schemes run by the
ministry,” said Vilas Muttemwar, Minister of State for New and
Renewable Energy.
As far as Bangalore city is concerned, the minister told Deccan Herald
that his ministry would prepare a detailed project report in
coordination with the state renewable energy corporation and initiate
talks with Bangalore City Corporation on the implementation of the
model solar city initiative. If more fund were required to
implement the initiative in the city, the centre would consider the
requirement favourably, he said.
“However, it was up to the municipal body to implement the initiative
on a mission mode,” he added.
The minister said that the Centre is upgrading its research and
development work on the promotion of renewable energy with the
objective of bringing down the solar power generation cost which at
present is the main impediment to go for solar power in a big way.
At present, the cost of producing 1 mw of solar power is about Rs 20
crore as compared to Rs 5 crore for thermal power generation.
The government plans to add 14,000 mw of renewable energy in the 11th
Five Year Plan, taking the capacity from renewable sources to 25,000 mw
from the present 11,000 mw.
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Feb62008/national2008020650740.asp
