Rajamundry:
With power needs on the rise and shortfall in generation by the conventional process, authorities in West Godavari opted for meeting these requirements through the renewable energy process.
New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) authorities of the district have taken up the installation of the solar lighting system in all 800 panchayats in the district. There will be 30 per cent subsidy.
In the first phase, 1,000 lights are being installed at the rate of four for each panchayat covering 250 panchayats; these will be LED (light emitting diode) mode of lights, each costing Rs 17,800.
In the second and subsequent phases, the NREDCAP authorities plan to cover all panchayats with four lights each, and in later phases, the entire street lighting system with solar lights.
As part of provision of amenities to students of welfare hostels, 12 solar water heater systems of 1,000 and 1.500 watts at a cost of Rs 1.50 lakh were installed in 12 SC welfare hostels with funds from Abhilasaha (started with public contributions). In addition, 150 SC welfare hostels in the district were provided with one solar street light and one solar lantern, both of which were found very useful for the inmates during the examination season in March/ April this year.
In another development the installation of a 10 KW solar power pack at a cost of Rs 12 lakh in the district collectorate has been catering to the needs of 30 computers, 30 fans and 40 tubelights in various departments in the premises for the last several months.
NREDCAP West Godavari district manager (DM) D.V. Prasad said that with active support from the district administration and 30 per cent subsidy being extended by the MNRE, they hoped to cater to power needs in this mode to the maximum extent in both the public and private sectors.
The expected 20 per cent subsidy on behalf of state government (which was cleared by the Cabinet sub-committee) is expected to give a further boost to the programme in the district, the district manager said.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / June 27th, 2013