The Tripura government is working to ensure 500 megaWatt of renewable power by 2030 to contribute to the Centre’s target of hiking the capacity of non-fossil energy to 500 gigaWatt, said Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday. The target of 500 megaWatt power will be met by installing solar grids, floating solar units, cannon solar units, rooftop solar units, microgrid solar units and other off-grid systems, Saha added. He also urged industrialists to invest in the renewable energy sector in Tripura. "Renewable energy has become one of the most important factors and hope for the world to preserve the environment and the planet’s resources for the future generations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid emphasis on renewable energy during the G20 summit in Delhi,” Saha said at a stakeholder workshop on 'Energy Transition of Tripura' held at a private hotel in Agartala. Saha added that the Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) has set a target of 500 megaWatt of renewable power by 2030. The TREDA has signed an MoU with the NTPC for the installation of 130 megaWatt floating solar panels at the Dumbur lake reserve. Saha further said, “At present, the total capacity of renewable energy in the state stands at 120 megaWatt, developed by the TREDA. The Tripura Power Generation Limited (TPGL) is coming up with a 120 MW and an 84 MW combined-cycle gas power plant (CCGP) project at Rokhia and Barmura, respectively, in place of the existing 63 MW and 42 MW projects, respectively.” The TPGL has also started working on the installation of a 30 MW small hydropower plant in the state, the Chief Minister informed. "Today renewable energy is no longer an alternative energy but is increasingly becoming a key part or a solution to meet the demand of natural energy. Renewable energy is an important component of India's energy plant projects. Various policies and programmes have been adopted by the state government to promote renewable energy in the urban and rural sectors," he said. "The motto of the state government is (in tune with the Centre’s motto) Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas (collective efforts, inclusive growth). The Tripura government is committed to ensure social and economic empowerment of the rural people through different livelihood activities," Saha said in his speech. Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said amid increasing demand for power and depleting natural resources such as minerals, oil and gas, an emphasis has been laid on renewable energy to deal with the crisis. Nath added that as per the national electricity plan, Tripura's electrical requirement is expected to rise to 2,648 million units in 2031-32 from 1,585 million units in 2021-22. "The energy sector has a huge role to play in determining the future of the country, mainly Tripura. Unprecedented possibilities are emerging in the energy sector. Tripura is a hilly state in the northeast region of the country. Amidst constraints, the Tripura government has taken up various programmes to develop socially and economically backward people in the state," he said.
