State gives thrust to solar energy: 29,000 streetlights installed

Off grid-based new and renewable energy projects are being promoted in the State. As many as 29,000 solar streetlights have been installed in major Municipal Corporation and other cities. Farmers are being motivated to install solar tubewells under solar drinking water pump scheme in remote areas.From the year 2008-09 till date, over 11,000 solar streetlights have been installed in various areas. In major municipal corporations, 18,000 lED-based solar streetlights have been installed. Under Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant Project, 5.64 MW solar power plants have been installed to energise Naxalite-affected areas’ police stations, chowkies and community health centres. Power supply process has been started by preparing mini grid for power generation from alternative sources of energy under decentralised distribution generation (DDG) programme in 23 Naxalite-affected villages of Shahdol, Umaria, Sidhi and Singrauli districts. So far, this work has been completed in 13 villages.

Under rural electrification scheme, 594 villages in remote areas of the State have been energised with solar power. This has benefited 46,000 families. Union Government’s Energy Efficiency Bureau is conducting ‘Star levelling’ Programme to gauge functioning of energy-efficient appliances. Efforts are also being made to implement its recommendations in the State.

So far, over 300 alternative energy shops have been set up at development block and divisional level by Madhya Pradesh Energy Development Corporation for publicity and marketing of appliances of alternative energy as well as energy-efficient electric appliances.