Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 03 2009:
Imphal city has been included among 11 cities of the country selected for the implementation of the National Solar Mission.
The Union government is supposed to launch the National Solar Mission on November 14 this year.
The National Solar Mission with the vision "Make India a global leader in solar energy" envisages an installed solar generation capacity of 20,000 MW by 2020, 1,00,000 MW by 2030 and of 2,00,000 MW by 2050 .
This mission document is part of the eight mission documents under India's National Action Plan on Climate Change.
It plans to deliver on the creation of 100000 new jobs through the course of the plan.
The objective of the mission is to drive down the cost of solar energy to as low as Rs.4-5/Kwh by 2017-20, making solar energy competitive with respect to other fossil fuel based power sources.
Officials of the Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) confirmed the inclusion of the Imphal city among the 11 cities shortlisted for implementation of the first phase of the mission.
Solar plates will be installed at some important buildings for generation of power round the clock.
The project also targeted generation of power from renewable energy source to 10 percent from the current 2 percent.
Only 2 percent power is extracting from renewable energy source, officials said.
MANIREDA is also set to convert the Imphal city into a solar city under the mission.
Imphal city is among 11 cities selected for converting solar city.
The required manpower is also getting ready.
But for the time being the fund requires for the project is yet to be finalized.
The same will be finalized at the earliest, the official said.
Joining the efforts of reduction of using fossil fuel for generation of power, MANIREDA in Manipur is also taking up various projects for generation of power from wind energy, micro hydel energy, biomass, solar and hybrid energy.
Wind and solar hybrid projects have been installed at Kotland and Chawangphai in Senapati, Chabangphai, Lamdan in Churachandpur, hongbei and Lungthar in Uhkrul district under the initiative of the MANIREDA.
Biomass power projects of 200 kilowatt power generation capacity are also taking up at Somtal Damdei of Churachandpur and Cheira of Ukhrul district.