…but,‘statistics’ show power-starved Punjab yet to exploit renewable energy sources

Sources in the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) say that the state has the potential to generate around 1,000 MW from bio-gas but much less is being produced. Similarly it can produce 140 MW each from small hydel projects,co-generation with the sugar industry and other industries but only 23. 6 MW is being produced with hydel projects contributing 13.6 MW of that total,the sources said. “After much delay,the Punjab government has now been awarding projects to top solar power companies to start operations in the state by next year,” a senior officer said. Sources,however,pointed out that to generate 250 MW from solar power plant,investment of Rs 2,500-3,000 crore would be required.

Director (PEDA) Balour Singh,on the other hand,said that 250 MW solar power projects will start operations in the state by next year while bio-mass power plants will generate around 300 MW. Another senior officer in the PEDA office said that the government could have started such plants much earlier in the power-starved state as there is an abundance of agri-residue material- wheat straws and cotton stalk,among others.

SBS Nagar does its bit

SBS Nagar district has been doing its bit by drawing power from renewable sources of energy with the district generating 3.5 million units per annum through its solar power plants. There are four solar plants in the district: a 200 KW at Khatkar Kalan; 100 KW unit at Raja Sahib Nabh Kanwal; 1.0 MW at Mehandipur (near Kathgarh) and the 1.5 MW unit at Sahiba (near Majari). The solar power plants at Mehandipur and Sahiba are among the nine in the state that have a generation capacity of 10.50 MW and supply power to PSPCL under sa purchase agreement.