Pratapnagar MlA and parliamentary secretary for minor irrigation, renewable energy, rainwater conservation and flood control, Vikram Singh Negi directed the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Agency (UREDA) to increase the 34.90 megawatt capacity of micro hydel projects to 100 megawatt in the State.
Negi said that at present, 42 micro hydel projects constructed by UREDA have power generation capacity of 34.90 megawatt. He said that detailed project reports for 15 projects of two megawatt capacity each have been prepared with DPRs for 54 such schemes being prepared. Sites have been identified for 78 schemes across the state which will be capable of generating 32.83 megawatt electricity. At present, the state is working towards facilitating the generation of 101.63 megawatt electricity from micro power projects. Directing officials to speed up execution of work in this direction, he also sought explaination for non-redressal of solar powered street lights developing problems.
The chief project officer of UREDA, Arun Kumar Tyagi informed that at the district level, the agency has a staff of four personnel per district. In absence of information, people do not change the batteries in majority of the street lights which have batteries past their operational life. Now, a 10-year warranty for maintenance or replacement of batteries has been arrived at with the battery company.
Negi directed the chief project officer to prepare a proposal for appointing one worker each on contract basis at the development block level for repair and maintenance of renewable energy equipment and street lights. The proposal should be drafted and submitted to the state administration soon for approval, he said. The parliamentary secretary further said that more than 2,300 applications had been received from across the state for rooftop solar power plants with five kilowatt electricity generation capacity. Work in this regard should be expedited by UREDA, stressed Negi.