The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has asked the Delhi Government to provide at least 25 acres for setting up a solar panel near IP Power Plant to generate 5 MW.
The New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah, along with Secretary of his Ministry and other officers, met Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at her office in Delhi Secretariat.
Abdullah requested Dikshit to consider five MW of solar power generation near the Secretariat. This would meet its power demand; it currently receives 2.5 MW per day.
The power can also be utilised in Old Secretariat, DIP Office, Anti-corruption Unit, Directorate of Education and Vikas Bhawan-II.
Abdullah stated that his Ministry is keen to work on the project of solar power generation for Delhi Secretariat at the earliest.
He further stated that 1 MW of solar power can be generated at Old Secretariat.
He also said that out of five MW of solar power, balance 2.5 MW could be transferred into the grid. He further assured that the city Government would get solar power at Rs 5 per unit for the next 25 years, hence, it would save a substantial amount.
Dikshit, while responding to the proposal, stated that her Government is keen to harness solar power which is clean and green as its generation process is pollution-free.
Dikshit assured that her Government would soon identify a piece of land around Delhi Secretariat for this purpose so that Union Ministry could start working on the project. Sources say that Dr Abdullah has stated that Rajghat Thermal Power Plant, which is to be closed within one or two years, could be used for the project.
Delhi Chief Secretary DM Spolia, who also attended the meeting, informed the Ministry that Delhi is bringing a Cabinet note for setting up solar panel on the river bank or drains in the city. Principal Secretary (Power) Shakti Sinha was also present there.