Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (Crest) has achieved 48 megawatt (MW) solar power generation, submitting a status report to the UT administration.
The Crest is to achieve 75 MW target of solar power generation by August 15, 2023, according to the report. Under the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ campaign, the Crest would set up two floating solar plants in the city — the first of 2MW at Sector 39 waterworks and the second of 500KW at Dhanas lake.
Debendra Dalai, chief executive officer, Crest, briefed UT adviser Dharam Pal about the details.
The administration had recently asked for progress in solar project installation in the city and a road map for further installation of solar plants in the city from the Crest. The ministry of new and renewable energy had enhanced city’s solar power generation target from 50 MW to 69 MW to be achieved by 2022.
Recently, the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) had turned down the UT’s plea of implementing Resco (Renewable Energy Service Company) model for solar plants installation in city. The Crest had proposed the model after the approval of the former UT administrator V P Singh Badnore as residents were wary of initial capital investment. Under the Resco model, the UT had planned private companies will install solar-energy plants on private property, and in return, charge building owner a much lower tariff than normal electricity rate for about 15 years (or whatever period is agreed in the tender). Thereafter, the house owner will get the plant.