Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa government has decided to procure 50 MW of solar renewable power from the Arunachal Pradesh Power Corporation Private Limited for a period of four years to meet the solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO).
As per the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) regulations, every State has to purchase electricity from renewable energy sources at a defined minimum percentage of the total consumption of all the consumers in each State annually.
For the financial year 2022-2023, Goa will have to purchase 18.35 per cent solar power from renewable energy sources, while the target will be increased to 19.91 per cent for the year 2023-2024. Of the 18.35 per cent, nine per cent each will be solar power and power from any other renewable energy and 0.3 per cent will be hydropower.
Electricity Department chief engineer Stephen Fernandes said that the Goa government will soon sign an agreement with the Arunachal Pradesh Power Corporation Private Limited to purchase 50 MW solar renewable power at Rs 5.10 per unit beginning from November 1 this year till October 31, 2026. The estimated cost for the purchase of 50 MW (110 million units per annum) of solar power will be approximately Rs 56.1 crore per annum while for the years 2022-2023 it will be Rs 23.37 crore.
The failure to comply with the order of the JERC could face a penalty of Rs one lakh for each year and also Rs 60,000 per day for continuing default till the RPO for the year is fulfilled by the electricity department.