HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 16: Assam Secretariat on Sunday became the first-ever civil secretariat in the country with the inauguration of a 2.5 MW solar power project on its campus.
The said solar power project was inaugurated by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at a ceremony held at the Assam Secretariat complex.
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“Adding another chapter to the State’s endeavours at promoting green energy, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday inaugurated the Janata Bhawan Solar Project, a 2.5-Mw power generation capacity grid connected rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV system, at a ceremony held at the Assam Secretariat Complex. The launch of the solar power project today has led to the Assam Secretariat Complex becoming the first-ever civil secretariat in the country that relies entirely on solar generated electricity for daily consumption,” said an official statement.
As per the statement, this project would yield an average of 3 lakh units of electricity monthly and the investment amount of Rs 12.56 crore is projected to be recovered within a period of 4 years with monthly savings standing at approximately Rs 30 lakh.
With a lifespan of 25 years, this solar plant will cut down 3060 metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually and 76,500 metric tonnes of carbon emissions during its lifetime, the statement added.
Speaking at the event, Sarma referred to the launch of the project as a historic moment in the State’s march towards embracing of green energy.
“The state government had been paying around Rs 30 lakh to Assam Power Distribution Company Limited on a monthly basis for traditionally-produced electricity consumption. Transition to green energy will help the government utilise its resources for the welfare of the socially and economically disadvantaged sections of the society,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The chief minister further stressed upon the need for every government office to adopt solar power in a gradual and phased manner. In the initial phase, he called upon medical colleges and universities to make a transition to solar energy.
Speaking about the state government’s initiatives aimed at promotion of green energy, Sarma referred to the 25-Mw Solar Power Project at Namrup, the foundation stone for which was laid recently.
He also spoke about the solar projects at Bharchalla in Sonitpur district, Khudigaon in Dhubri district and the 1,000-Mw project in Karbi Anglong. These and other projects, on completion, shall drastically reduce the state’s dependence on energy procured from outside the State, he added.
“These and other initiatives have led to the Assam Power Generation Company Limited earning a profit of Rs 60 crore this year,” the chief minister stated.
Sarma appealed to the members of the general public to apply for the “PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Scheme” so that the electricity consumption expenses of the households can be brought down.
It has been observed that installation of solar panels results in 85% decrease in households’ electricity consumption expenses, he added.
The chief minister further added that from July 1, the provision of free electricity supply to the official quarters of the chief minister, other ministers, senior officials and government officials shall be one away with and they will be asked to pay for the electricity consumption.
Power Minister Nandita Gorlosa, chief secretary Ravi Kota, principal secretary to chief minister K K Dwivedi, managing director of APDCL Rakesh Kumar, along with a host of officials was present.
