India is developing sixty solar cities to reduce use of conventional energy demand by a minimum of ten per cent during its 11th Plan, the Press Information Bureau reported.
Federal Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah informed the Lower House of the Parliament that the Ministry is providing financial support up to Rs 5 million for each solar city to the respective city governments.
The financial aid is towards preparing a Master Plan and setting up of institutional arrangements for the implementation of the Master Plan as well as creating awareness and capacity building activities.
Sixty Cities are proposed to be developed as Solar Cities during the Eleventh Plan period including four Model Solar Cities and 10 Pilot Solar Cities. Approvals have been given for developing 36 Solar Cities including State Capitals in the Country, he said
The Master plan for each Solar City is being prepared to assess and utilise various renewable sources including solar, wind and municipal waste, the minister added.
