JERC Tells Puducherry Power Department to Meet 100 MW Solar Target by 2022.

Puducherry will have to generate 100 MW of solar power by 2022, as fixed by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) in consonance with energy policy of the Centre, JERC chairman S K Chaturvedi said recently.

Speaking at a public hearing on Business Plan of the Electricity Department, he said Puducherry would have to generate 1 MW in the current year, 12 MW next year and by 2022 reach 100 MW. PED would have to purchase 14.55 MW solar power in the current year and it would be better if production was enhanced to save on cost of purchase.

One of the best solar energy plan has been drawn up for Puducherry, he said and pointed out that Sri Aurobindo Ashram which has achieved self sufficiency through generation of solar energy to meet power requirements for some buildings.

Y P Chawla, member, JERC, gave a presentation of the solar plan for UT wherein solar power generation panels could be established in almost all places. He said bank loans were available besides 15 per cent subsidy for individuals from Ministry of Renewable Energy.

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS