PANJIM: Padma Jaiswal, IAS, Secretary, Power and Non-Conventional Energy, Govt of Goa, speaking at the CII conference on solar energy held today in Goa pointed out that environment friendly, eco-friendly and economic friendly power source is needed for better development of the State.
Goa with a moderate climate and bright sunshine for most part of the year is richly endowed with this secure natural renewable resource of solar energy for generating electricity. Production of electrical power and its easy availability at affordable rates is an established benchmark of development. No major economic activity can be sustained without adequate and reliable sources of power. The challenges of climate change and global warming resulting from burning of fossil fuels are continuously threatening the world community. Renewable Power generation including Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Solar Thermal (ST) power / steam / hot water generation offer an environmentally safe and sustainable alternative. In view of the fact the State of Goa does not generate its own electricity, excepting under private initiative where power is produced based on use of fossil fuel, the challenge before the State government is not only to meet the ever growing demand for power but also to progressively increase the share of renewable sources in the energy – mix so as to achieve overall energy security and also to meet the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO). It can be done by promoting the systematic tapping of the solar energy potential to the maximum. It is expected that in near future the solar PV, Solar thermal and Solar PV systems will be set up by both the State government, institutions, agencies and private entrepreneurs/ institutions for the captive consumption as well as for export.
“India has been a partner to Germany for Renewable Energy generation with an investment of almost 1.2 billion euros,” said Dr Jurgen Morhard, Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany. Clean Energy like the Solar is the need of the hour as the non – renewable energy like gas, coal, has caused more harm to the already changing climates of India. Solar Energy is a more reliable and clean source for energy.
