Team Herald

PANJIM: In a bid to promote renewable source of energy, the Goa Electricity Department (GED) has decided to procure 125 mega watts (MW) of solar power from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited and another 100 MW of wind power from Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECIL). 

Highly placed sources informed that for solar power, the department is in advance stage of finalisation of 125MW with NTPC Limited and will envisage that the supply starts from second half of financial year 2020-21. The rate fixed is Rs 3 per unit. 

The NTPC Limited is the largest supplier of power to Goa, which consists of seven power plants. 

“The department has also tied up with SECIL for 100 MW wind power. The first 50 MW of power is expected to be released in May 2019 and the balance 50 MW by November, next year. The rate fixed is Rs 2.72 per unit,” sources said. 

Goa’s peak demand during FY 2017-18 was around 644 MW. As per CEA LGBR report, for FY 2017-18, the energy deficit and the peak deficit for the Goa were 0.0% (NIL) and 0.2% (1 MW) respectively. 

The total firm allocation of power from central sector is approx 575 MW. In addition, the department also purchases power from co-generation stations within the State and short-term power procurement from the market, traders, DEEP portal.

In order to meet the daily requirement, the Union Power Ministry has also sanctioned additional 35.61 MW to Goa, the supply of which is expected in October 2019.  The power will be supplied from Lara STPP, Khargone STPP, Gadarwara STPP and Kameng HEP.