BHUBANESWAR: Green Energy Development Corporation Limited (Gedcol) has decided to scale up its solar power generation plans at Manamunda Industrial Estate in Boudh district to 50 mw.
The nodal agency for new and renewable energy in the State has already entrusted Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) with establishment of a 20 mw solar plant at the industrial estate at `170 crore.
Gedcol will float tender for the additional 30 mw soon and sites have also been identified at Kantamal in Boudh and Karlamunda in Bhawanipatna district for establishment of solar power projects of 20 mw each. Nearly 270 acres of land has been earmarked at Kantamal and 220 acres at Karlamunda, Gedcol Managing Director Hemant Sharma told mediapersons here.
He was attending the Odisha Solar Conference-2014, hosted by TiE Cleantech SIG in association with Canyon Consultancy here on Friday. The Odisha Government is also planning to come out with a comprehensive State Solar Policy which would address policy issues, laws and regulations, consumer and producers’ interest, etc. “The policy would be based on the National Policy, which is set to be announced soon, for ensuring proper harmony in direction between the Central and State,” Sharma said.
He, however, pointed out that the direction for solar power development in Odisha will have to be different in scope and feature. The concept of Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects will not be amenable to the State as it is virtually impossible to find 2500 acres of barren land at a stretch required for the purpose.
“For Odisha, the way forward is through solar parks of smaller capacities. We have submitted our recommendations to the Centre in this connection,” he said.
Solar power generation in Odisha is set to touch 100 mw by 2016-17 while 13 mw has already been installed. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has, in fact, targeted an installed capacity of over 5000 mw in Odisha in the next three years.
“Renewable energy being the focus area of the BJP-led Central Government, a target of achieving 100,000 mw of solar power generation has been set for the next five years. 40,000 mw each would be taken up through international private investment and traditional agencies while 20,000 MW would be undertaken by different Ministries,” said Advisor to MNRE Praveen Saxena.
Among others, State Science and Technology Minister Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi, Secretary Forest and Environment RK Sharma and president, TiE, Bhubaneswar, JB Pany also spoke.
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