TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Just a step away from generating its own grid quality power, Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) is planning to install nearly 50 hybrid solar power plants and wind turbines across the State that will produce 1 to 1.5 mw of power in next three years.
GEDA is currently running 15 such units with a capacity of 5 to 10 kw of power per unit.
While the 50 hybrid solar power plants and wind turbines intended capacity is to produce 20 to 30 kw of power per unit, GEDA has identified 20 sites for potential setting up of mega solar power plants of 300-500 kw, with one plant planned at Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi.
GEDA has also laid thrust on generation solar power from the rooftops of cluster of residential, commercial and industrial complexes apart from exploring the possibility of generating bio-energy, GEDA member secretary Pramod Pathak told media persons on Friday.
Pathak said presently the quantum of solar power generated is very small and hence it cannot meet the State’s grid quality power requirement. He said that with installation of 50 hybrid solar power plants and wind turbines, we would be in position to generate 1 to 1.5 MW of solar power.
“The installation of units would be done in collaboration with the educational institutes, thus providing a training ground to the students. GEDA is also in process to create solar mechanic, who would run these units. This will generate employment for locals,” Pathak said.
Member Secretary said that GEDA has already drafted a renewable energy policy with thrust on solar power. Shortly a rooftop solar power policy would be also drafted thereby encouraging housing societies to generate their own power.
GCCI basic infrastructure committee chairman Rajan Bhatikar said that Goa, which imports almost 90 percent of its power requirement from neighbouring states, need to strongly pursue generation of solar power. “However, the non availability of large open space is a major constraint for setting up a solar power plant since for setting up even one MW of solar power plant requires 5 acres land. And in Goa you don’t find such big open space,” Bhatikar added.
GCCI in collaboration with GEDA has organized a day-long seminar on solar power on January 25 to sensitize the stakeholders including government, industries, builders, consultants and others about the polices, technology, economic and other relevant aspects of solar power generation.
Goa imports almost 90 per cent of its power requirement from neighbouring States, as such it needs to strongly pursue generation of solar power. However, non-availability of large open space is a major constraint for setting up a solar power plant since for setting up even one MW of solar power plant requires 5 acres land, said GCCI’s Rajan Bhatikar
