CM launches solar-based remote village electrification programme

Team Herald

PANJIM: With a focus on delivering clean, affordable, and reliable energy to all, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant inaugurated a solar-based electrification programme for remote rural households in Goa on Sunday. 

The solar PV based home lighting systems for households was inaugurated only two days after the agreement was signed between Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) and Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA). This project will bring electricity, through renewable energy to areas in Goa where grid connectivity is not feasible. 

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Sawant said, “On Goa Statehood Day, it is a proud moment for us to announce that we will achieve 100 per cent electrification for all homes in Goa, and that too with clean energy. We have made policy decisions for Goa to transition to a green State in a fast and concerted way. I congratulate GEDA and CESL for their good work.”

Power Minister Nilesh Cabral, who has been behind Goa’s green policies said, “In Goa we are committed to provide green and clean energy access to every single household. We are very happy that on Goa Statehood Day we are flagging off this high-impact, and crucial project and that GEDA and CESL are working together towards expanding solar access to off-grid and kachha houses in the State.”

Chief Secretary and GEDA chairman Parimal Rai said, “Remote rural communities will greatly benefit from this solar home lighting programme. Our national climate goals will get a fillip from State actions and Goa with its policies has increased its ambitions. Our outreach to the remotest corner will strengthen climate resilience of communities and contribute to climate change mitigation.”

Secretary (Power) Kunal said that the solar lighting programme will improve the economy of rural households, and will contribute to inclusive local growth. Goa’s villages will benefit from solar lighting, cheaper electricity. This project is important for Goa’s energy transition and it will steer rural development and growth. In the coming days, it will also increase off-grid solar electricity demand in rural area, which will in turn improve the services, he said.

This project is CESL’s first off-grid electricity engagement that will install and maintain solar PV systems for five years under the Remote Village Electrification (RVE) programme of the Goa government. CESL will undertake the project across villages and hamlets of Goa in coordination with village panchayats.

CESL CEO and MD Mahua Acharya, Director of DNRE Alexio da Costa and member-secretary of GEDA Sanjeev Joglekar also spoke on the occasion.