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Solar energy to ‘light’en VMC power bills
Solar energy to ‘light’en VMC power bills.The city is going to tap solar power in a big way for its energy needs in the coming years. Vijayawada is among the list of 60 solar cities proposed to be developed by the Centre as part of its green initiative.
The city is going to tap solar power in a big way for its energy needs in the coming years. Vijayawada is among the list of 60 solar cities proposed to be developed by the Centre as part of its green initiative.The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has already sent proposals worth Rs 250 crore to the Centre to harness solar power.
- VMC hopes to bring down annual electricity bill of Rs 42 cr
- Civic body sends proposals worth Rs 250 cr to Centre
- Solar panels will be installed at offices, complexes, institutions, etc
The VMC will take up installation of solar panels at corporation offices, commercial complexes, educational institutions and public utilities once funds for the solar city project are released.Speaking to CityTAB on Saturday, Municipal Commissioner G Veerapandian said that the VMC officials had already taken up a survey in the city to identify suitable locations for installation of solar panels to tap the non-conventional source of energy.
“The VMC wants to meet 10 per cent of the city’s energy requirements through solar power in the next five years. The VMC has also sought the expertise of New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) to install solar panels of 1 KW capacity at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore each at the VMC office, council hall, head water works and water purification centre at Singh Nagar firstly. The use of solar power for street-lighting at Jakkampudi in the city has already started yielding results,” Veerapandian said.
The VMC’s electricity bills go up to Rs 42 crore per annum which is Rs 3.5 crore per month. Needless to say that if solar power is tapped the VMC could save a considerable amount on the energy front. The amount can be used for the development of basic infrastructure in the city, which is fast emerging as a metropolis of Andhra Pradesh. The VMC has also taken up a campaign to promote the use of solar energy for domestic and industrial needs.
On the civic body’s endeavour to promote the use of solar power, Veerapandian said, “The VMC will organise an awareness meet on the non-conventional source of energy at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram on Monday. The aim of the meet is to involve people in a big way in the solar city project. Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) Director T Harinarayana and Acharya Nagarjuna University Vice-Chancellor K Viyyanna Rao will deliver the keynote address on benefits of solar power.”
By Sistla Dakshina Murthy
