Ranchi: Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday unveiled the Solar Policy of the state under which an ambitious target has been set up to generate nearly 4000 MW of power through solar energy in the next years.
Speaking at a function after launching of the policy he said that in a densely populated country like India there is a huge requirement for power. He said that his government apart from traditional sources of power is also focussing on renewable sources of energy and the manner in which the state government is working in the area of solar energy day was not far behind when Jharkhand will be able to fulfill its own power needs. He said that renewable energy is the future of the country therefore to increase its production policy-wise initiative has been taken.
The Chief Minister said that many provisions have been made in the solar policy 2022 for encouraging the investors including a single window policy, payment security mechanism, relaxation and subsidy. On the occasion he also launched the Kusum web portal for Kisaan Solar Water Pump Set Scheme, setting up of 600 KV solar plants in Dhanbad and Dumka and also launched the grid-connected rooftop power plant project for Giridih solar city for domestic consumers via online mode.
A booklet detailing the key features of the policy was also launched by him. He said that geographical Jharkhand has many difficult terrains and in such areas taking the electricity supply is a difficult task due to which people are facing problems, therefore, the government has decided to take power to those areas using solar power. He said that the initiative is being started from Giridih which has been selected as a solar city. He said that the government wanted to take the solar policy from the city to the villages.
The Chief Minister said that apart from drinking water and irrigation the government is working on a plan as to how solar power can be used in day to day life of the people. He pointed out that the cost of one unit of power generated through coal is more than Rs 5 while that generated from solar power costs around Rs 2-3 per unit. He said that there are many districts in Jharkhand where 30-40 megawatt of power is used and in such areas on 400-500 acres of land through solar power sufficient amount of power can be generated.
The Chief Minister said that a better environment for investors has been prepared in the state and assured full support to the investors who would be coming into the solar power sector. He said that with the cooperation and suggestions of all the policies can be made better and more solar power can be generated.
The Chief Minister also congratulated the people of Giridih for their city has been selected to be developed as a solar city. He said that the policy is being uploaded for the state and business sectors. He said that the solar policy will give a new direction to the state and pointed out that small airports in the state are being lit up using solar power. He said Giridih is the first district that will be known as a solar city and called on the people to spread awareness regarding use of the solar policy.