Greentech Lead India: The Maharashtra state government is
looking for land in Marathwada region to set up three Solar energy plants.
The state government is looking for solar energy as part
of its efforts to augment electricity generation in the state.
Three plants of 50 MW each would be set up in Osmanabad and Parbhani.
The government has zeroed in on the sites for setting up of the plants and is
currently verifying technical details, according to a PTI report.
This process will be completed in June. It is expected
that the plants would come up in a year’s time.
The three units will be set up using two kinds of solar plant technology – Thin
film and Crystalline.
Considering the need to reduce the electricity shortfall
to meet the December 2012 deadline of zero load shedding in the state, the
government is planning to use non-conventional energy resources to improve
electricity generation.
Once the plant site is finalized, the project can come up in six months and
Mahagenco can start the generation. The solar energy will cost Rs 7-Rs 8 per
unit.
The state government had already announced a 125 MW solar plant in Dhule but
since the Forest department claimed that it was their land, central government
permissions were required.
The electricity shortfall in the state is at present approximately 1200 MW with
the availability being about 14500 MW and demand being 15700 MW.
Maharashtra govt to focus on green industrial projects
Recently, the state government decided to put its weight
behind green and environment-friendly industrial projects, and such projects
will be given preference in terms of expedited clearance and other
non-financial benefits.
India is vulnerable to the challenges of climate change
with 65 percent areas being drought-prone, 12 percent being flood-prone and 8
percent under cyclone threat. The per capita water availability is set to
decrease from 1,820 cubic metre per year to 1,140 cubic meter.
editor@greentechlead.com