Odisha state government has approved a proposal to install solar panel in rooftop of all government establishments in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
In the first stage of the project, the government will install solar panels on rooftops of government offices, agencies, directorates and state PSUs situated in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The project will be expanded to other districts.
“Government has been pleased to approve the proposal for implementation of solar rooftop project within twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar,” said Sangramjit Nayak, joint secretary in the state energy department to managing director of Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd (OHPC).
Nayak now suggests OHPC should take necessary steps to sign an agreement between Green Energy Development Corporation (GEDCOL) and IFC for project financing. GEDCOL is the wholly owned subsidiary of OHPC.
These steps are taken as response to recent High Court’s criticism for not clearing large amount of pending power bills in a tariff hike case.
As part of these measures, in October last year the state government decided to set up solar lighting systems on rooftop of all government offices from 2013-14. The project also mandates that solar heating system should be installed at all government-run hostels and guest houses to trim power bills.
In the first year of the implementation, the government has decided to use the office rooftops of government offices, agencies, directorates and state PSUs situated in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, and later the scheme will be planned for other districts.
The announcement comes soon after the Odisha government declared the newly floated company GEDCOL as the nodal agency for on-grid solar energy projects in the state. The Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) will take care of off-grid generation such as solar cooking, pumping, refrigeration, heating and industrial process.
Odisha currently generates 8 MW solar energy by small producers. It has plans to produce at least 80 MW in next three years. The state has the potential to generate nearly 10,000 MW solar energy, as per a study conducted by the state government.