Punjab was all set for major “revolution” in the renewable energy sector due to a large scale investment in solar power projects, unique net metering policy and farm-level solar power projects, claimed the state Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Wednesday.
Sukhbir, speaking after Upkar Singh Sandhu took over as Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) chairman, said that the initiatives by the state government will ensure wider participation of investors, common people and farmers.
Accompanied by Punjab Revenue, New and Renewable Energy Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, Sukhbir appreciated the efforts of Majithia and his team for “outstanding” achievements on renewable energy front, saying that in February 2012, the state had installed capacity of just nine MW (megawatt) which has now reached 225 MW with an investment of Rs 1,500 crore.
He said that 24 new projects of 229 MW capacity plus 65 MW rooftop projects with an investment of Rs 2,100 crore were all set to kick off soon.
Underlining the need to promote clean energy in a big way, Sukhbir said that the time has come to harness the big potential available in solar energy and bio-mass energy and it could be possible only through wider participation of various sections of the society.