Thursday, February 20 2014: The southern state of Karnataka is reportedly going to announce a new solar power policy, soon. The policy is aimed towards seeking an increase in the solar power production in the state to 2,000 MW, by 2020, as part of the government of India’s next plan period.
The policy is in its final draft stage and will be submitted to the State Government, on Wednesday. As part of a the aimed project, nearly 1,500 beneficiaries in Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Dharwad and Gulbarga are likely to be given both central and state government’s subsidies in order to help set-up solar plants, totaling up to a power supply of 500 kW.
G.V. Balaram, the managing director of the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) said, “We are looking at commissioning around 500 MW of solar power projects every year till 2020. We also want to promote smaller projects of 1-3 MW capacity in which farmers can become equity partners and generate power,” while speaking at a meeting of the ‘Climate Parliamentarians’, as per a New Indian Express report. The ‘Climate Parliamentarians’ is a global network of lawmakers who look to increase awareness amongst their peers about issues related to climate change and renewable energy.
“The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) provides a 30 per cent subsidy to which the state government will add another 20 per cent. The average cost of generating 1 KW of solar power, with batteries, is Rs 1,90,000. Around 100 sqft of land is needed to generate 1 kW. We expect a normal household requirement to be 3 kW with heating appliances,” Balaram further added in the same report.
The state had earlier targeted to add 533 MW of renewable energy in 2013-14, of which 315.79 MW is already added. However, 150 MW of wind power projects will be commissioned in February and March that are likely to help the state reach its target.
