Mr. Gupta reviewed the progress of solar energy projects being implemented at Baap, Tinwari, Osian, Mathania, Jaisalmer, Kheenwasar and Bikaner.
The Centre has asked the Rajasthan Government to speed up the implementation of solar power projects awarded to private companies in western parts of the State and make arrangements for training of engineers and technicians to add quality to the existing projects and serve the needs of the future.
Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Secretary Deepak Gupta said while reviewing the progress of solar power generation programme in Jodhpur that the private firms executing several projects should remain in constant touch with the authorities for resolving their problems and getting approvals on time.
According to an official release here, Mr. Gupta said the Union Ministry’s officers would regularly visit the project sites to monitor the progress of execution. “Installation of solar power plants is a tough job. Technicians have to work for long and erratic hours (braving) sun and strong winds.”
State Energy Secretary Naresh Pal Gangwar said there was a robust infrastructure in place for power transmission and distribution in Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur districts and asked the agencies in the solar power sector to complete their work on migration projects by August 15. He also provided details of the solar power policy adopted in the State earlier this year.
The meeting was apprised of the Union Government’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, as part of which a nation-wide solar energy mission has been launched. The provision for a national clean energy fund in the 2010-11 Union Budget had made a significant impact on environmental aspects of power sector, it was pointed out.
Mr. Gangwar said the State Government was actively promoting renewable sources of energy and had so far installed wind energy projects of 1,521 MW and biomass energy projects of 96.3 MW. A 5 MW photovoltaic solar plant has been established at Kheenwasar, while the installation of a 2.5 MW thermal solar plant is in the final stage.
Mr. Gupta reviewed the progress of solar energy projects being implemented at Baap, Tinwari, Osian, Mathania, Jaisalmer, Kheenwasar and Bikaner. Among others, Rajasthan Energy Development Agency chairman-cum-managing director Debashish Majumdar, Jodhpur Discom managing director B. L. Khamesra, Jaipur Discom technical director N. K. Pandey and representatives of National Thermal Power Corporation attended the meeting.
