By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 21: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdulla Wednesday called for making extensive use of new and renewable sources of energy such as solar power and wind power to reduce the country’s dependence on conventional sources of fuel such as coal, petroleum, gas, etc. In this connection, the minister remarked that a nation of the size of India cannot do without nuclear power.
Dr Abdulla was speaking after commissioning the 40 Kwp solar power project installed at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai on Wednesday March 20.
Maharashtra governor K Sankaranarayanan presided over the programme.
Dr Abdulla said the nation is spending large amount of money on importing coal, petrol, diesel and gas from various countries. Mentioning that India is blessed with lots of sunlight and clean air, he said the country must make use of the God’s energy for the betterment of people.
“We must make use of God’s energy for the betterment of God’s people,” he said.
The union minister informed that the government of India is exploring the possibility of generating power from the sea wind.
Lamenting on the poor maintenance of solar power equipments in the country, he expressed the need to involve the youth in maintaining solar power systems.
Maharashtra governor K Sankaranarayanan said that meeting the energy security and water security are two of the major challenges before the nation. In this connection, he said that solar energy is the future of the nation. The governor called upon government organisations and corporate to switch on to solar power wherever possible. The governor announced that solar power projects will also be commissioned in the Raj Bhavans in Pune and Nagpur.
Minister of state for Non Conventional energy D P Sawant informed that the University of Pune will be offering courses in renewable energy.
Director general of Maharashtra Energy Development Agency Anand Limaye in his presentation said that Maharashtra has installed capacity of 4387 MW of grid connected renewable energy projects till February 2013. He said Maharashtra has retained its second position in the country in this respect. He said Maharashtra has the largest installation of Solar Water Heating Systems having achieved 7.13 lac sq km collector area.
Limaye informed that apart from Raj Bhavan, Mumbai, - MEDA (Mahaurja) is implementing the Solar Energy Project in the famous Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur, Tulja Bhavani Temple in Tuljapur, Yogeshwari Devaasthan in Ambejogai, Sidhivinayak Temple and other important places.
Under the Raj Bhavan Solar Power Project, some of the important buildings in the Raj Bhavan complex, street lights, tube lights, fans and office computers have been powered by solar energy.
The solar power project installed by the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) at a cost of Rs 76.60 lac is expected to generate 43,800 units of power every year. Considering the electricity rate of Rs 6 per unit, the project is expected to save Rs 2,62,800 every year.
The Solar Power Project was started under the Special Area Demonstration Project Scheme of the ministry of New and Renewable Energy of Government of India. The ministry had provided financial assistance of Rs 1 cr to Raj Bhavan for the purpose. The scheme is also implemented by the ministry in other public places visited by people, tourist places, places of pilgrimage, etc. The objective of the project is to create awareness about renewable energy technologies and to popularize its use among citizens.
Minister for excise and non-conventional energy government of Maharashtra Ganesh Naik also spoke on the occasion.